Breastfeeding

• In 2017-18, most (93%) children aged 0-3 years had received breast milk
• 29% of children aged 6 months to 3 years were exclusively breastfed to 6 months
• There has been no change in the rate of children aged 6-24 months exclusively breastfed to 6 months since 2014-15 [1].
• Almost half (48%) of children aged 6 months to 3 years were introduced to solids at 6 months or later
   

Exclusive breastfeeding refers to children receiving only breast milk (including expressed milk) and no other fluids, food or water (with the exception of vitamins, minerals and medicines where necessary). 

Breastfeeding confers health benefits for both mother and child. For breastfed infants, benefits are across nutritional, physical and psychological wellbeing, and health advantages may persist into later life [2].

The National Health and Medical Research Council's infant feeding guidelines recommend exclusive breastfeeding to around 6 months of age. It also recommends mothers "continue breastfeeding with appropriate complementary foods until 12 months of age and beyond, for as long as the mother and child desire." [2]

At 2 months of age:

• Four in five (83%) were still receiving breast milk
• Almost three quarters (74%) were exclusively breastfed
   

At 4 months of age:

• Almost three quarters (73%) were still receiving breast milk
• Around three in five (61%) were exclusively breastfed
• A small proportion (6%) were introduced to solids before 4 months, a reduction since 2014-15 (9%)
   

At 6 months of age:

• Two thirds (66%) were still receiving breast milk
• Around three in ten (29%) were exclusively breastfed
• Over half (53%) had not been introduced to solids before 6 months
   

Aged 1 to 3 years:

• One in ten (11%) were still receiving breast milk
• Two in five (41%) received breast milk for at least 12 months
   

The rates of children receiving breast milk as well as those exclusively breastfed have remained consistent since 2014-15.

This release previously used catalogue number 4364.0.55.001.