Breastfeeding rates in Australia

The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months. After this, breastfeeding continues alongside suitable family foods for up to 2 years and beyond.

Exclusive breastfeeding means your baby has only breastmilk. This includes no other food or drink, not even water.

In Australia, the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) recommends exclusive breastfeeding for around 6 months. After this, breastfeeding can continue alongside solid foods until 12 months and beyond, for as long as you and your child want to keep going.

In Australia, many families start breastfeeding, but rates drop earlier than recommended.

Most mums want to breastfeed. The 2010 Australian National Infant Feeding Survey (the most recent national data of this kind) found that 96% of mothers begin breastfeeding. However, numbers fall quickly in the early weeks.

• By around 3 months (less than 4 months), 39% of babies are exclusively breastfed
• By around 5 months (less than 6 months), 15% are exclusively breastfed

This suggests that many families introduce solids before 6 months.

Looking at babies receiving any breastmilk:

• 69% are receiving some breastmilk at 4 months
• 60% at 6 months
• 28% at 12 months
• 5% are still breastfeeding at 2 years

The 2014–15 National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Survey found that 80% of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children aged 0–3 years had been breastfed (received some breastmilk). This was similar in non-remote (79%) and remote (87%) areas, and rates have stayed fairly steady since 2002.

However, breastfeeding may stop earlier compared with non-Indigenous babies.

• 15% of babies had stopped breastfeeding by 1 month
• By around 3 months (less than 4 months), 19% are exclusively breastfed
• By 6 months, 7% are exclusively breastfed
• By 12 months, 4% are still receiving breastmilk

Some findings were more positive:

• Breastfeeding rates are higher in the Northern Territory (98%) than in Victoria (75%)
• In the Northern Territory, more Indigenous babies are breastfed (98%) than non-Indigenous babies (81%)
• Babies in remote areas (91%) are more likely to be breastfed than those in major cities (73%)

Breastfeeding experiences can vary across cultures in Australia. In some communities, strong breastfeeding traditions have changed over time.

The 2010 survey found that mothers born overseas start breastfeeding at similar rates to Australian-born mothers. However, by 1 month:

• 58% of babies of mothers born overseas are exclusively breastfed
• compared with 62.5% of babies of Australian-born mothers

Some families may find it harder to continue breastfeeding while settling into life in a new country. Support can vary. For some, being away from family makes things harder. For others, different expectations or advice from family members can create tension.

When traditional post-birth practices aren’t available, this can also affect how long breastfeeding continues.

Some groups of mums are less likely to breastfeed or to continue breastfeeding. The 2010 survey also found this included mums who:

• are younger
• are experiencing disadvantage
• have lower levels of education
• smoke daily
• had obesity before pregnancy
   

© Australian Breastfeeding Association June 2026