Synopsis

Infant feeding guidelines around the world recommend that babies are exclusively breastfed until approximately 6 months of age. However, in most countries this does not occur: breastfeeding is stopped before 6 months, or solids are introduced before 6 months (or both). This study aims to understand which women don’t breastfeed exclusively to 6 months and why; whether infant feeding practices are related to child behaviour and development; and whether a woman’s experiences feeding her first child influence how she feeds her second child. Findings will help us to identify women who may benefit from extra support, and may inform development of future policy initiatives such as the Australian National Breastfeeding Strategy for 2018 and Beyond.