Lyla Lindsey
Breastfeeding was a routine part of pre-colonial life for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in Australia, with some reports of babies being breastfed for up to 4 years. Colonisation disrupted traditional child-rearing practices, leading to a decline in breastfeeding rates among Aboriginal women and the widespread use of infant formula. Today, Aboriginal women in Australia breastfeed at lower rates than non-Aboriginal women, with rates varying across and within Aboriginal populations. In 2014-2015, 82% of Aboriginal infants in Australia had been breastfed, compared to 86% of non-Aboriginal infants, and the rates of exclusive breastfeeding for six months are significantly lower for Aboriginal women.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Breastfeeding rates among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women in Australia | Below recommended targets |
| Breastfeeding rates among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women compared to non-Aboriginal women | Lower |
| Breastfeeding initiation rates within one hour of birth globally | 43% |
| Exclusive breastfeeding rates for infants under six months globally | 41% |
| Breastfeeding rates among Aboriginal infants in Australia (2014-2015) | 82% ever breastfed, 7% exclusively breastfed for six months |
| Breastfeeding rates among non-Aboriginal infants in Australia (2014-2015) | 86% ever breastfed, 16% exclusively breastfed for six months |
| Rate of breastfeeding for Indigenous infants in Remote and Very remote areas of Australia | 92% |
| Rate of breastfeeding for Indigenous infants in Major cities in Australia | 84% |
| Rate of breastfeeding for Indigenous infants in Victoria, Australia | 64% |
| Rate of breastfeeding for Indigenous infants in Tasmania, Australia | 77% |
| Factors influencing the decline in breastfeeding rates among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women | Colonisation, introduction of non-Indigenous practices, loss of cultural breastfeeding knowledge, urbanisation |
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What You'll Learn
- Colonisation disrupted traditional child-rearing practices, contributing to lower breastfeeding rates among Aboriginal women
- The introduction of non-Indigenous practices, such as bottle feeding, has likely contributed to the loss of breastfeeding knowledge
- In 2014-2015, 82% of Aboriginal infants in Australia had been breastfed, compared to 86% of non-Aboriginal infants
- The World Health Organization and UNICEF recommend exclusive breastfeeding for at least six months, with continuation for at least two years
- Breastfeeding rates among Aboriginal women are lower in urbanised areas than in remote and very remote areas
Colonisation disrupted traditional child-rearing practices, contributing to lower breastfeeding rates among Aboriginal women
Breastfeeding provides all the necessary energy and nutrients for an infant and is beneficial for both mothers and babies. However, colonisation disrupted traditional child-rearing practices, contributing to lower breastfeeding rates among Aboriginal women in Australia.
Before colonisation, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples lived healthy and socially connected lives, and breastfeeding was a routine part of their culture, with some reports of babies being breastfed for up to four years. Colonisation disrupted these practices and the transmission of cultural knowledge, leading to a decline in breastfeeding rates among Aboriginal communities.
The introduction of non-Indigenous practices, such as bottle feeding and the use of breast milk substitutes, which were marketed as superior alternatives, likely contributed to the loss of traditional breastfeeding knowledge among Aboriginal women. This has resulted in a gap in breastfeeding rates between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal women.
Data suggests that in 2014-2015, 82% of Aboriginal infants in Australia had been breastfed at some point, compared to 86% of non-Aboriginal infants. However, only 7% of Aboriginal infants were exclusively breastfed for six months, compared to 16% of non-Aboriginal infants. These rates are significantly below the World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations, which advocate for early initiation of breastfeeding within the first hour of birth and exclusive breastfeeding for at least six months.
The impact of colonisation on Aboriginal communities has had lasting effects on child-rearing practices, and efforts to promote and support breastfeeding among Aboriginal women are crucial to improving the health and well-being of both mothers and infants.
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The introduction of non-Indigenous practices, such as bottle feeding, has likely contributed to the loss of breastfeeding knowledge
Breastfeeding rates among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women in Australia are lower than those of non-Aboriginal women. While breastfeeding provides all the necessary energy and nutrients for an infant and benefits mothers and babies, the effects of colonisation have disrupted traditional child-rearing practices and cultural knowledge transmission, leading to reduced breastfeeding prevalence and duration among these communities.
Before colonisation, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in Australia led healthy and socially connected lives, with breastfeeding being a routine part of their culture, sometimes lasting up to four years. However, colonisation significantly disrupted these practices, contributing to the current lower breastfeeding rates, especially in urbanised areas.
The introduction of non-Indigenous practices, such as bottle feeding and the use of breast milk substitutes, has likely influenced the loss of breastfeeding knowledge among Aboriginal communities. These substitutes were often marketed as the optimal way to feed infants, creating a gap in breastfeeding rates between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal women.
Breastfeeding initiation rates within one hour of birth and exclusive breastfeeding rates for infants under six months are below global targets. In Australia, while 93% of infants receive some breast milk, only 29% are exclusively breastfed for six months. Within Australia, there are subgroups with lower breastfeeding rates than the general population, and these rates vary across and within Aboriginal populations. For example, in Victoria, the breastfeeding rate for Indigenous children was 64% compared to 92% for non-Indigenous children.
The collection and reporting of breastfeeding data among Aboriginal women and infants in Australia are inadequate, making it challenging to accurately assess the situation and develop effective interventions and policies. However, it is clear that the loss of cultural breastfeeding practices and the introduction of non-Indigenous alternatives have likely contributed to the gap in breastfeeding rates and the loss of traditional knowledge within Aboriginal communities in Australia.
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In 2014-2015, 82% of Aboriginal infants in Australia had been breastfed, compared to 86% of non-Aboriginal infants
Breastfeeding provides all the necessary energy and nutrients for an infant and has many benefits for mothers and babies. It is associated with a lower risk of obesity and otitis media in infants and a reduced risk of breast and ovarian cancer in premenopausal women.
Breastfeeding was a routine part of pre-colonial life for Aboriginal Australians, with some reports of babies being breastfed for up to four years. Colonisation significantly disrupted traditional child-rearing practices and cultural knowledge transmission, contributing to the lower prevalence and duration of breastfeeding among Aboriginal women today, especially in urban areas.
The 2014-2015 Social Survey revealed that 82% of Aboriginal infants in Australia had ever been breastfed, compared to 86% of non-Aboriginal infants. However, only 7% of Aboriginal infants were exclusively breastfed for six months, compared to 16% of non-Aboriginal infants. These rates indicate a decline from the previous year, 2013, when 83% of Aboriginal infants had been breastfed.
There are variations in breastfeeding rates across different Australian states and territories, with the highest rates for Aboriginal infants in remote and very remote areas (92%) and the lowest in major cities (73%-84%). Additionally, breastfeeding interventions for Indigenous Australians require culturally sensitive approaches that address multiple health and social issues impacting infant feeding practices.
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The World Health Organization and UNICEF recommend exclusive breastfeeding for at least six months, with continuation for at least two years
Breastfeeding provides all the necessary energy and nutrients for an infant and has many benefits for mothers and babies. Before Australia was colonised, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples lived healthy and socially connected lives, and breastfeeding was a routine part of pre-colonial life. Colonisation significantly disrupted traditional child-rearing practices, contributing to the lower prevalence and duration of breastfeeding among Australian Aboriginal women. The effects of colonisation have resulted in the widespread use of infant formula as a substitute for breast milk.
The World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF recommend exclusive breastfeeding for at least the first six months of an infant's life to achieve optimal growth, development, and health. During this period, infants should not be fed anything else, not even water. From six months onwards, in addition to breast milk, children should begin eating nutritionally adequate and safe complementary foods. The introduction of these complementary foods should not lead to discontinuing breastfeeding. Instead, breastfeeding should continue up to two years of age or beyond.
The WHO and UNICEF have created the Global Breastfeeding Collective to rally political, legal, financial, and public support for breastfeeding. The Collective brings together implementers and donors from governments, philanthropies, international organisations, and civil society. The vision is a world in which all mothers have the technical, financial, emotional, and public support they need to breastfeed.
In Australia, 93% of infants receive some breast milk, but only 29% are exclusively breastfed to six months of age. Within Australia, there are population subgroups with lower breastfeeding rates than the general population. For example, in Victoria, the breastfeeding rate for Indigenous children was significantly lower than for non-Indigenous children (64% compared to 92%). The rate of breastfeeding is highest for Indigenous infants in remote and very remote areas (92%) and lowest for those in major cities (84%).
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Breastfeeding rates among Aboriginal women are lower in urbanised areas than in remote and very remote areas
Breastfeeding rates among Aboriginal women in Australia are lower than those of non-Aboriginal women. There are also variations in breastfeeding rates within Aboriginal populations, with women in urbanised areas having lower rates than those in remote and very remote areas.
Breastfeeding was a routine part of pre-colonial life for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, with some reports of babies being breastfed for up to four years. Colonisation disrupted traditional child-rearing practices and cultural knowledge transmission, likely contributing to the lower breastfeeding rates among Aboriginal women today. The Australian government has introduced policies and strategies to address the health outcome disparities between Aboriginal and non-Indigenous Australians, with maternal and infant health being a key priority.
The 2018-2019 National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Survey found that while most Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children aged 0-2 years had received some breast milk, only 12% were breastfed for 6-12 months and 7% for 12 months or more. The survey also revealed that the rate of breastfeeding is highest for Indigenous infants in remote and very remote areas (92%) and lowest for those in major cities (84%).
The lower breastfeeding rates in urbanised areas may be influenced by various factors, including the impact of colonisation, the widespread use of infant formula, and the disruption of traditional cultural practices. Additionally, the lack of standardised measures and definitions for breastfeeding data collection in Australia makes it challenging to accurately assess the current breastfeeding prevalence among Aboriginal women.
To improve breastfeeding rates and health outcomes for Aboriginal women and infants, rigorous research is required to understand the specific factors influencing their breastfeeding practices. This includes addressing the inconsistencies in defining, collecting, and reporting breastfeeding rates, particularly in urban, rural, and remote locations. Government focus, support, and consistent funding are necessary to implement evidence-based interventions and services for these communities.
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Frequently asked questions
There is no evidence to suggest that breastfeeding was ever banned for Aboriginal people in Australia. However, colonisation disrupted traditional child-rearing practices, leading to a loss of cultural breastfeeding knowledge and the introduction of non-Indigenous practices, such as bottle feeding and breast milk substitutes. This likely contributed to the lower breastfeeding rates among Aboriginal women today.
The data on breastfeeding rates among Aboriginal women in Australia is limited and inconsistent, but it suggests that breastfeeding rates are lower among Aboriginal women than non-Aboriginal women. For example, in 2014-2015, 82% of Aboriginal infants in Australia had been breastfed at some point, compared to 86% of non-Aboriginal infants.
The effects of colonisation, including the disruption of traditional cultural practices and the introduction of non-Indigenous alternatives, have likely contributed to the lower breastfeeding rates among Aboriginal women in Australia. Other factors include the marketing of bottle feeding and breast milk substitutes as superior, and the inadequate collection and reporting of data, which makes it difficult to accurately assess the situation and develop effective interventions.
The World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) recommend early initiation of breastfeeding within one hour of birth, exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months, and continuation for at least two years. However, globally, breastfeeding initiation and maintenance rates are well below these targets, with only 43% of babies breastfed within an hour of birth and 41% exclusively breastfed for six months.
