Eat for Health Infant Feeding Guidelines Summary

1 EAT FOR HEALTHI nfant Feeding GuidelinesSUMMARYEAT FOR HEALTHI nfant Feeding GuidelinesInformation for Health workersSUMMARYP ublication DetailsPublication title: Infant Feeding Guidelines : SummaryPublished: February 2013 Publisher: National Health and Medical Research CouncilNHMRC Publication reference: N56bOnline version: Online: 1864965827 ISBN Print: 1864965819 Suggested citation: National Health and Medical Research Council (2012) Infant Feeding Guidelines : Summary . Canberra: National Health and Medical Research : This document is a general guide to appropriate practice, to be followed subject to the clinician s judgement and patient s preference in each individual Commonwealth of Australia 2016 All material presented in this publication is provided under a Creative Commons Attribution International licence ( ), with the exception of the Commonwealth Coat of Arms, NHMRC logo and any content identified as being owned by third parties.

2 The details of the relevant licence conditions are available on the Creative Commons website ( ), as is the full legal code for the CC BY International Commons Attribution International Licence is a standard form licence agreement that allows you to copy, distribute, transmit and adapt this publication provided that you attribute the work. The NHMRC s preference is that you attribute this publication (and any material sourced from it) using the following wording: Source: National Health and Medical Research of imagesUnless otherwise stated, all images (including background images, icons and illustrations) are copyrighted by their original usTo obtain information regarding NHMRC publications or submit a copyright request, contact:E: P: (02) 6217 9000 Infant Feeding Guidelines .

3 Summary ivCONTENTSHow to use this resource 1 Disclaimer 1 Overview 2 breastfeeding 3 Promotion of supportive social and physical environments for breastfeeding 4 Special considerations 6 When an Infant is not receiving breastmilk 7 Other fluids in Infant Feeding 9 The transition to solid foods 10 After 12 months 12 Caring for infants food 13 Nutrition in the second year of life 14 Other aspects of Infant nutrition 15 Food allergies 15 Colic 15 Constipation 16 Dietary fat 16 Dental caries 17 Diarrhoeal disease 18 Infant

4 Feeding Guidelines : Summary 1 How to use this resourceThis document provides a Summary of the Infant Feeding Guidelines from the NHMRC s Eat for Health Program published in Infant Feeding Guidelines are aimed at Health workers to assist them in providing consistent advice to the general public about breastfeeding and Infant Feeding . They support optimum Infant nutrition by providing a review of the evidence, and clear evidence-based recommendations on Infant Feeding for Health main recommendations for Infant Feeding , including the introduction of solid food, are briefly described in this Summary .

5 The full text of the Infant Feeding Guidelines can be downloaded from DisclaimerThe Infant Feeding Guidelines and the information in this Summary are relevant to healthy, term infants of normal birth weight (>2500g). Although many of the principles of Infant Feeding described here can be applied to low birth weight infants, specific medical advice is recommended for pre-term and underweight infants. This document is a general guide to appropriate practice, to be followed subject to the clinician s judgement in each individual case.

6 The Infant Feeding Guidelines are designed to provide information to assist decision-making and are based on the best information available to the date of Health and Medical Research Council2 OverviewAustralia is a nation in which breastfeeding is protected, promoted, supported and valued by the whole of society. breastfeeding provides major public Health benefits. The nutrition and growth of infants has an important effect on early morbidity and mortality and there is increasing evidence of the medium and long-term effects on Health .

7 Infant growth is now recognised as one of the influences on Health and longevity later in life and breastfeeding is the backbone of early Health workers should promote breastfeeding in the community and ensure that best practice in breastfeeding is followed. When mothers choose to use Infant formula it is also best practice to provide them with all of the information and support that they need. The Marketing in Australia of Infant Formulas: Manufacturers and Importers Agreement (MAIF) is based on the WHO International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes (the WHO Code) and provides the basis for control of the marketing of Infant formula in Australia.

8 Australia s breastfeeding initiation rate is good at 96%. However, only a small proportion of women achieve the goal of exclusively breastfeeding to around 6 months. The role of Health workers in supporting breastfeeding is important to further increase Australia s breastfeeding initiation and duration rates. This Summary provides background information and recommendations that will help Health professionals support parents and promote the above Feeding Guidelines : Summary 3 BreastfeedingBreastfeeding is the healthiest start for infants.

9 breastfeeding confers protection against infection, some chronic diseases including type 1 and type 2 diabetes, coeliac disease and inflammatory bowel disease, is associated with lower cardiovascular disease risk factors including high blood pressure and elevated total and LDL cholesterol and obesity. breastfeeding also contributes to improved cognitive development. There are also maternal benefits, with evidence for a reduced risk of ovarian and breast cancer, as well as a reduced risk of developing type 2 diabetes among women with a history of gestational diabetes.

10 In Australia, it is recommended that infants be exclusively breastfed until around 6 months of age when solid foods are introduced. It is further recommended that breastfeeding be continued until 12 months of age and beyond, for as long as the mother and child desire. While many mothers encounter some difficulties with breastfeeding , usually these can be overcome with support and encouragement from Health professionals, family and community organisations. Many mothers can also continue breastfeeding if they choose to return to work.