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If you’re able, breastfeeding is best for your baby
— providing benefits beyond just nutrition for your little one.
But there are even more reasons why breastfeeding is best for your baby and for you.
During their first year, babies grow faster than at any other time during their lives. Your breastmilk supports this rapid growth and is constantly changing to meet your baby’s nutritional needs.
Breastfeeding is a precious opportunity to connect with your baby. Those moments of skin-to-skin contact help strengthen the bond between you and your little one, which is important for their emotional development.
Breastfeeding can help some mothers lose weight after birth. It’s also linked to lower rates of certain health problems in both mums and bubs.
Experts recommend exclusive breastfeeding for around the first 6 months. When your baby is ready, solid foods can be introduced from around 6 months of age while continuing to breastfeed until at least 12 months of age.
How long you breastfeed is up to you and your baby. If you stop breastfeeding before your baby is a year old, make sure they get enough nutrients from other foods to support healthy growth and development.
While breastfeeding has many advantages, it doesn’t always work out for every mum.
If you’re considering infant formula, here are some important points to keep in mind:
We encourage all mums to explore breastfeeding as their first option if possible. However, if you find yourself needing to consider formula, speak to a healthcare professional for advice.
For more information or advice about breastfeeding, visit the Australian Breastfeeding Association.
Even with the best nutrition and care, many infants have conditions or needs that may impact their everyday feeding habits during the early years of life. Find out more about the possible causes and tips on how to manage these conditions.
If you are able to breastfeed, breastfeeding is best for babies. Breastfeeding has many benefits, such as protecting your baby from infection while their immune system develops. It is important that you eat a healthy, balanced diet in preparation for and during breastfeeding.
Infant formula is designed to replace breast milk when an infant is not breastfed. Combining breast and bottle feeding in your baby’s first weeks of life may reduce your supply of breast milk and reversing a decision not to breastfeed is difficult. The social and financial implications of using infant formula should be considered when choosing a method of feeding.
Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions when preparing and using infant formula, including proper sterilisation of bottles and using boiled water. Improper use of an infant formula may make your baby ill.
We recommend that you consult your doctor, midwife, or health care professional for advice about feeding your baby.
