South Australia's health department policy set state-wide to protect, promote and support breastfeeding benefits
The South Australian government SA Health department policy supporting breastfeeding was based on compelling evidence that showed it protected against a wide range of short- and longer-term health problems in infants and mothers.
The South Australian government SA Health department committed in the 21st Century to a consistent state-wide policy of protecting, promoting and supporting breastfeeding as an important public health measure.
The policy particularly aimed at increasing the number of infants being exclusively breastfed to around six months of age and to advise women to continue breastfeeding with appropriate complementary foods until 12 months of age and beyond for as long as the mother and child wanted. SA Health‘s policy and practices aligned with the Australian National Breastfeeding Strategy 2019 and the baby friendly health initiative of the World Health Organisation.
Breastfeeding rates in Australia had fallen from the 1950s. In South Australia in 2010, 89.6% of babies were exclusively breastfed from the start of life. By the age of one month, that had dropped to 60%. By age six months, only 14.6% of South Australian infants were exclusively breastfed.
Compelling evidence showed breastfeeding protected against a wide range of short- and longer-term health problems in infants and mothers. For infants, it was a guard against many illnesses, including gastro-intestinal, respiratory and urinary tract infections, otitis media (until two years), Sudden Infant Death Syndrome malocclusion, dental caries, childhood leukaemia and chronic conditions in later life, such as type 2 diabetes, coeliac disease, asthma and obesity. For mothers, breastfeeding’s positive effects included reduced risk of osteoporosis, pre-menopausal breast cancer, ovarian cancer, type 2 diabetes and post-menopausal obesity. Mother-infant bonding was enhanced and postnatal depression was reduced by breastfeeding.
Breastfeeding also had environment benefits over feeding with formula that was not promoted by SA Health sites under its policy. The department’s policy aimedto iron out inconsistent advice given to women over breastfeeding. It also supported measures such as the Australian Breastfeeding Association’s Breastfeeding Welcome Here programme to improve community accepting breastfeeding in public by providing breastfeeding-friendly premises.
Research showed returning to work was often cited as women’s reason to stop breastfeeding. The research also found that employers who supported their breastfeeding employees were rewarded by higher morale, less absenteeism and increased income.
Along with SA Health services such as the Children and Family Health Service, with community support through the Australian Breastfeeding Association and private services, the Women’s and Children’s Hospital and health network were strong supporters of breastfeeding. Research funded by the Women’s and Children’s Hospital Foundation and conducted by Dr Amy Keir aimed to set up improved supports for women with late preterm babies to increase breastfeeding rates. The multidisciplinary team included lactation consultants Susie Jones, Laura Summers and Jess Ramsay, also nurses and/or midwives from the hospital. The research shaped a greater understanding of the challenges families and healthcare professionals faced in providing breastmilk to babies born early and how to overcome them.