Health Budget 2007-2008

Breastfeeding – education and support

An $8.7 million community research, information and education campaign will encourage new mothers to start and continue to breastfeed their babies.

PDF printable version of Breastfeeding – education and support (PDF 629 KB)

Why is this important?

• Breastfed infants have lower rates of illness such as asthma, middle ear infections and gastrointestinal illness. Breastfeeding also protects against the development of obesity and Type 2 diabetes later in life.

• In mothers, breastfeeding reduces the risk of developing breast and ovarian cancer as well as osteoporosis.

• This initiative will involve research, improved data collection, an information and community education campaign on the benefits of breastfeeding, and activities to support families such as access to 24-hour advice, and innovative programs for disadvantaged and young mothers.

Who will benefit?

• Better information, resources and support for young families will encourage more mothers to start and continue breastfeeding their babies. It will also encourage their families to support continued breastfeeding.

• Higher rates and longer periods of breastfeeding will benefit Australian families by promoting better health for babies and children, and for mothers. This is especially true among younger, lower-income, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and rural families.

What funding is the Government committing to the initiative?

• The Government has committed $8.7 million over four years for initiatives to promote breastfeeding.

What have we done in the past?

• The Government has provided $0.9 million over 10 years (1998-2008) to the Australian Breastfeeding Association. Dietary guidelines for children including infants have been developed and a voluntary industry code limiting the marketing of infant formula has been implemented.

When will the initiative conclude?

• This is an ongoing initiative.