Breastfeeding and Early Infant Feeding Practices Among Women in the Hunter New England Region of New South Wales, Australia: A Cross Sectional Study

Abstract

Issue Addressed

Exclusive breastfeeding to 6 months of age is recommended. Currently, there is a lack of Australian data exploring infant feeding behaviours and the sources of information women use to guide infant feeding decisions. This study aimed to describe (i) infant feeding practices (breastfeeding, infant formula/other fluids, introduction of solids) of women with infants aged 6–8 months; and (ii) the information sources women use most frequently and find most helpful to make decisions regarding infant feeding practices.

Methods

Between August and October 2021, 356 mother-infant dyads in the Hunter New England region of New South Wales, Australia, were surveyed. Descriptive statistics and Kaplan-Meier survival analyses were used to describe infant feeding practices and their timing (age in months).

Results

While breastfeeding was initiated in 97% of infants, only 1% were exclusively breastfed to 6 months of age. In the first month of life, 21% of infants received formula, increasing to 51% by 6 months. The mean age of introducing solids was 5.3 months. The most frequently used and helpful sources of information for infant feeding included friends and family, child and family health nurses, and digital sources (e.g., websites).

Conclusions

Infant feeding practices reported by Australian mothers remain inconsistent with the recommendations and should remain a key focus of public health nutrition efforts.

So What?

Opportunity exists to provide consistent, credible, and evidence-based information via various modalities for both families and their support networks to promote best practice infant feeding.