Australian Breastfeeding Policy

The WHO (World Health Organization 2011) recommends “mothers universally to exclusively breastfeed infants for the child 's first six months to obtain optimal growth, development, and health. Thereafter, they should be provided nutritious complementary foods and extend breastfeeding up to the age of two years or beyond”. It is one of the safest ways of nurturing and helps to defend infant against infectious and chronic diseases by providing essential nutrients and is also beneficial for the mothers to have a healthy life and well-being. The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (2011) reports that most babies (96%) were initially breastfed and the rates drop leading to only (15%) of the infants exclusively breastfed up to 6 months. In particular, the rates of breastfeeding among the indigenous infants was lowest in …show more content…
Similarly, The Standing Committee on Health and Ageing (2007) states that Australia has included breastfeeding in its national health goals and targets in all states and territories in order to elevate the breastfeeding rates and duration. Australian breastfeeding strategy 2010-2015 is one of the health promotion initiatives that was founded by the health ministers on 13 November 2009 which contribute to upgrading the health, nutrition and wellbeing of infants and young children, and the health and wellbeing of mothers, by safeguarding, advancing, supporting and supervising breastfeeding. The state and territory governments of Australia are promoting and improving the breastfeeding ratio in order to support, promote breastfeeding more extensively. South Australia, New South Wales, Queensland and the Australian Breastfeeding Association have all developed breastfeeding strategies and guidelines (Australian Health Ministers’ Conference,