To protect, promote and support breastfeeding in Australia in ways that optimise maternal and child health. To assist GPs to provide information and support for breastfeeding women, their babies and their families. To raise awareness among GPs of the important role they can play in supporting breastfeeding women. Breastfeeding should be sustained until the baby is at least 2 years old, but beginning at about 6 months breast milk should be complemented with appropriate solid food. Breastfeeding mothers in the paid work force should be supported to continue breastfeeding.
Continued research is required to determine the full health benefits of human milk for infants.
Breastfeeding is also beneficial for women's health. Breastfeeding may facilitate mother-infant bonding, saves the family money and protects the environment. General practitioners should have the knowledge and skills to help mothers and babies with common breastfeeding difficulties. Only information that is scientific and factual should be accepted by GPs from the infant formula industry. GPs should also be careful not to inadvertently undermine, by the display of artificial feeding materials, industry's public commitment not to advertise its products to the general public.