Putting Australia to the test - The World Breastfeeding Trends Initiative

Abstract

The tool is designed to be repeated in 3-5 years' time to analyse trends and identify areas requiring further attention. [...]far, the assessment has been completed in 84 countries. Where the government and health care system fail, however, is in a nationally coordinated approach to infant and young child feeding that includes requiring breastfeeding education for health professionals, considering the needs of infants in emergencies and the regular monitoring and evaluation of breastfeeding rates and programs. Despite these alarming statistics and, influenced by the fact that Australia is a high-income country with access to clean water and universal health care, this report indicated there is a complacency around infant feeding that has denied women and children the optimal health and developmental benefits of breastfeeding. Australia's Infant Feeding Guidelines (National Health and Medical Research Council, 2013) do not currently replicate the WHO guidelines, which are that infants should be exclusively breastfeed for the first 6 months with nutritionally adequate complementary foods introduced thereafter while breastfeeding continues for up to 2 years of age or beyond. 2 Baby Friendly Care and Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI) (Ten steps to successful breastfeeding) Approximately 22% of hospitals in Australia have current BFHI accreditation. Keywords: breastfeeding, breastmilk feeding, breast pumps, contamination, industrial relations Show more