The message given to new parents is the higher the infant weight gain the better. Yet being a big baby and growing fast is a risk factor for childhood obesity.
Articles on Breastfeeding
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It really should be consumed at least twice a week.
From the moment their baby is born, Australian parents receive conflicting advice on how to cope with newborn issues. What we are doing wastes our resources, but we’re not investing in alternatives.
It’s not that difficult to support breastfeeding mums - but governments need to take charge.
Human milk banks play an important role in ensuring the safe supply of breast milk. This is made available to babies whose mothers are unable to breastfeed.
Employers must do more to support breastfeeding mothers who return to work.
South African health authorities educate the public about breastfeeding but without supportive legislation and strong communication, it will never be normalised.
In an era when opinion often trumps evidence in public health issues, it’s time to support and invest in evidence-based medicine to protect the public from dangerous, poorly informed beliefs.
Breastfeeding has many health benefits for both baby and mother. But it can also can be difficult to sustain exclusively without support.
The potential for exploitation is rife in the international market for breast milk. Fair trade and fair pay regulations are crucial to protect consumers in Australia and suppliers abroad.
The UK isn’t doing enough to help mums breastfeed successfully
Hospitals sometimes recommend women express milk towards the end of their pregnancies. But it’s not suitable for all.
However mothers feed their babies, there is always some kind of criticism.
Family, friends and even strangers are judging pregnant women’s and new mothers’ behaviour.
Banked breast milk is a safe source of shared human milk, and can be a life-saver for very premature babies.
The bacteria in a mother’s breast milk are important because it helps develop a baby’s gut. Research shows this bacteria are different depending on where mothers live and what they eat.
Breast really best makes many mums feel bad.
The particular makeup of a newborn’s gut microbes is important as it has been shown to affect their risk of developing certain diseases later in childhood and adulthood.
Breastfeeding is a cultural taboo in the UK, and the prevalence of bottles in children’s books doesn’t help.
Childhood obesity is increasing and is most common for children living in disadvantage. But it’s preventable if we begin from the start of life.
Top contributors
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Professor of Child Public Health, Swansea University
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Adjunct Professor, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Western Sydney University
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Honorary Associate Professor, Australian National University
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Professor in Breastfeeding Research, La Trobe University
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Senior Research Scientist, African Population and Health Research Center
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Associate Professor in Public Health and Wellcome Trust Career Development Fellow, Swansea University
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Lecturer, University of the Free State
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Research Fellow, University of Sydney School of Public Health, University of Sydney
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Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Department of Applied Epidemiology, National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health, Australian National University
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Caroline Homer is a Friend of The Conversation.
Deputy Director (Gender Equity, Diversity and Inclusion), Burnet Institute
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Senior Lecturer/Course Convenor in Nutrition and Dietetics, Monash University
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Senior Lecturer at York Business School, York St John University
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Laureate Professor in Nutrition and Dietetics, University of Newcastle
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Associate Professor in Public Health, Queensland University of Technology
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Professor of Newborn Medicine, The University of Western Australia