Indicator 1.8 Exclusive breastfeeding

Considerations

  • The current Australian Infant feeding guidelines recommend that children should be exclusively breastfed to around 6 months of age (NHMRC 2013). Exclusive breastfeeding refers to children receiving only breast milk (including expressed milk) and no other fluids, food or water (with the exception of vitamins, minerals and medicines where necessary).
  • Exclusive breastfeeding data are available from the Australian National Infant Feeding Survey 2010 and the National Health Survey (NHS). As no new data is available from the Australian National Infant Survey to update this indicator, only data from the NHS are presented.

Overview

Based on self-reported data from the 2017–18 NHS, it was estimated that more than 1 in 4 (28%) children aged 6 to 24 months were exclusively breastfed to at least 6 months of age. In 2014–15, it was self-reported that 22% of children aged 6 to 24 months were exclusively breastfed to 6 months of age (Figure 1.8.1).

Population groups

There were no differences in the proportion of children aged 6–24 months exclusively breastfed to at least 6 months of age by remoteness or socioeconomic areas.

State and territory

The proportion of children aged 6–24 months exclusively breastfed to at least 6 months varied by state and territory (Figure 1.8.2).

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people

Based on data from the 2018–19 National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Survey, an estimated 16% of Indigenous children aged 6–24 month were exclusively breastfed to at least 6 months. In 2017–18, 29% of non-Indigenous children aged 6–24 months were exclusively breastfed to at least 6 months, based on estimates from the NHS (Figure 1.8.2).

Explore the data

1.8 Proportion of children (age 6–24 months) who were exclusively breastfed for 6 months, by sex, 2014–15 and 2017–18 and by selected population groups

Trends figure 1.8.1 shows the proportion of children (aged 6–24 months) who were exclusively breastfed to 6 months increased from 22% in 2014–15 to 28% in 2017–18. In this time period, the increase was greater among boys (21% to 31%) than girls (23% to 25%).  

Population group figure 1.8.2 shows the variation in exclusive breastfeeding rates (to 6 months) among selected population groups in 2017–18. Proportions were higher among non-Indigenous than Indigenous children (aged 6–24 months) (29% and 16%, respectively). Proportions were slightly higher among children living in Major cities and Inner regional areas as Outer regional areas yet similar by socioeconomic area. Proportions varied among the states and territories from 14% in South Australia to 35% in New South Wales.

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Indicator 1.8 data specifications

 

Definition

Data source

Numerator

Estimated number of infants aged 6–24 months who were exclusively breastfed to at least 6 months of age.

ABS 2019a; ABS 2019b; ABS 2016.

 

Denominator

Estimated number of infants aged 6–24 months.

ABS 2019a; ABS 2019b; ABS 2016.

 
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