Breastfeeding

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Key statistics and data about breastfeeding, exclusive breastfeeding, and introduction to solid foods

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Reference period
2022

Key statistics

  • Nine in ten (90.6%) children aged 0–3 years had ever received breast milk
  • Nearly two in five (37.5%) were exclusively breastfed to 6 months
  • Almost two in three (64.2%) were introduced to solids at 6 months or later

These statistics form part of the National Health Survey 2022. More information on other topics of interest from the survey are available on the National Health Survey 2022 page.

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

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 while introducing appropriate solid foods until 12 months of age and beyond, for as long as mother and child desire[1]. 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)[2].

Breastfeeding prevalence

In 2022, nine in ten (90.6%) children aged 0–3 years had ever received breast milk. This has remained steady since 2014–15 (92.0%).

At 2 months of age:

  • Four in five (83.5%) were still receiving breast milk
  • Nearly three in four (73.5%) were exclusively breastfed, this has remained steady since 2017–18 (73.8%).

At 4 months of age:

  • Three in four (75.9%) were still receiving breast milk
  • Over three in five (63.9%) were exclusively breastfed
  • Almost one in seven (14.6%) stopped receiving breast milk before 4 months
  • A small proportion (3.3%) were introduced to solids before 4 months.

At 6 months of age:

  • Seven in ten (70.1%) were still receiving breast milk
  • Nearly two in five (37.5%) were exclusively breastfed, an increase since 2017–18 (29.1%)
  • Almost two in three (64.2%) were introduced to solids at 6 months or later.

At 12 months of age:

  • Less than half (43.0%) were still receiving breast milk.
  1. Children aged 0–47 months.
  1. Children aged 0–47 months.

Data downloads

See the National Health Survey 2022 data downloads for the full suite of available data. Data relating to Breastfeeding can be found in tables:

  • TABLE 19 Breastfeeding by age.

Footnotes

  1. National Health and Medical Research Council, ‘Infant Feeding Guidelines: information for health workers', https://www.nhmrc.gov.au/about-us/publications/infant-feeding-guidelines-information-health-workers; accessed 15/11/2023.
  2. Department of Health and Aged Care, ‘Preparing for breastfeeding’, https://www.health.gov.au/resources/pregnancy-care-guidelines/part-b-core-practices-in-pregnancy-care/preparing-for-breastfeeding; accessed 15/11/2023.

Media release

See National Health Survey 2022 media release for more information.

Methodology

Scope

Includes:

  • all usual residents in Australia aged 0+ years living in private dwellings.
  • urban and rural areas in all states and territories, excluding very remote parts of Australia and discrete Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Communities.

Geography

The data available includes estimates for:

  • Australia
  • States and territories

Source

The National Health Survey conducted by the Australian Bureau of Statistics.

Medications data from the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme.

Collection method

Face-to-face interview with an Australian Bureau of Statistics Interviewer.

Linkage to the Person Level Integrated Data Asset.  

Concepts, sources and methods

Health conditions are presented using a classification which is based on the 10th revision of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10).

History of changes

Full history of changes.

View full methodology