Factors that influence breastfeeding rates
Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI)
Making the choice
In an ideal world, every newborn baby would have their mother's breast milk as their total source of nutrition for the first 4 to 6 months of their life, and as their main milk drink (complimenting solid food) until they were at least 1 year old. However, this is not always achievable (or possible) and some women choose not to breastfeed their baby, or decide to wean their baby off the breast earlier than is recommended. In these circumstances, young babies need to have a specially designed milk formula until they are 12 months old.
NOTE: In Australia, the term 'weaning' refers to the mother stopping her breastfeeding to give her baby formula milk (or other fluids and solids if older than 12 months). Some countries (such as the USA) use the term 'weaning' to describe starting a baby on solids, rather than stopping breastfeeding. In this website we use the term 'weaning' to refer to ceasing breastfeeding.
Most people view a woman's decision about how she will feed her baby as a conscious choice made during the pregnancy. However, it is now widely recognised that most women have already made some form of subconscious decision, even well before they conceive! Many women take it for granted they will breastfeed their baby. But others are not so sure, or perhaps have definite reasons to want to bottle feed.
It is internationally recognised that "breast is best" for both baby and mother. Governments and health professionals promote and publicise this fact in an effort to motivate women to feed their babies breast milk.