Breast Is Best For First Six Months, Royal Australian College Of General Practitioners

Main Category: Pediatrics / Children's Health
Also Included In: Pregnancy / Obstetrics;  Nutrition / Diet
Article Date: 24 Mar 2009 - 6:00 PDT

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The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) has welcomed the launch of a national 24-hour helpline, 1800 MUM 2 MUM (1800 686 2 686), to provide breastfeeding information for new mums. The Australian Government has provided funding to help establish the service nationally, which is run by the Australian Breastfeeding Association.

"Breastfeeding is the best way to feed a baby in the first six months of life; it provides optimum nutrition and boosts their resistance to infection and some diseases. Breastfeeding also benefits a baby's growth and development," said Dr Jane Smith, GP in Queensland and RACGP spokeswoman.

"GPs play an important role in encouraging and supporting mothers to breastfeed their babies and providing mums-to-be and their partners with information from early pregnancy onwards about breastfeeding.

"We need to promote society-wide acceptance of breastfeeding. We support mothers breastfeeding wherever and whenever their baby needs to eat.

"Breastfeeding delivers health benefits for babies and is also beneficial for mothers. Breastfeeding helps a woman's body recover after pregnancy and lactation (the production of breastmilk) protects against premenopausal breast cancer and osteoporosis," said Dr Smith.

The RACGP Red Book, the RACGP's guide to preventive activity in general practice, recommends that GPs encourage and support exclusive breastfeeding in the first six months, then the introduction of complementary foods and continued breastfeeding thereafter. It is recommended that breastfeeding continue until at least 12 months of age and thereafter as long as it suits the mother and the baby.

"However, we need to note that some women are unable to breastfeed their babies for a variety of reasons. These women also need help with alternative feeding methods and their GP plays an important role in developing an alternate approach to feeding their baby," said Dr Smith.

GPs can find more information about breastfeeding in the RACGP's position statement on breastfeeding on the RACGP website:

About the RACGP

The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) is responsible for maintaining standards for quality clinical practice, education and training, and research in Australian general practice. The RACGP represents the majority of Australia's urban and rural general practitioners.

About 1800 MUM 2 MUM

For free, confidential breastfeeding advice and support, 24-hours a day, call 1800 MUM 2 MUM (1800 686 2 686, toll-free from landlines in Australia). The helpline utilises the real-life experience of trained volunteer counsellors who help other mothers with issues when breastfeeding. Further information is available from the Australian Breastfeeding Association web site at http://www.breastfeeding.asn.au

Source
Royal Australian College of General Practitioners

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