NGO Backs Worldwide Push For Breastfeeding To Six Months And Longer.
La Leche League New Zealand is backing an international educational campaign to see breastfed babies stay off solid
foods until six months of age.
High and rising rates of obesity, diabetes and breast cancer are now partially attributed to starting solid foods too
early and children not breastfeeding long enough.
Many New Zealand women are shocked that they have not been informed of the possible long-term consequences of starting
solids too soon or weaning earlier than officially recommended by the World Health Organisation which says that babies
should only have their mother’s milk for the first six months of life and continue breastfeeding with appropriate solids
to two years or beyond.
Dr Alison Barrett, Obstetrician and member of La Leche League New Zealand’s Board of Consultants says, "The evidence
that breastfeeding confers lifelong and dose related benefits to women and their children is so compelling, it could be
considered negligent of doctors to not make parents aware of this. The time has come for doctors to stop worrying about
making women feel guilty about not breastfeeding. As an obstetrician, I know that all mothers want the best for their
babies. The information that 2 years of breastfeeding- at least- is not only normal, but in a child's best interests,
needs to get out there, to both health professionals and parents alike."
La Leche League supports
Six months exclusive breastfeeding Introduction of nutritious foods after six months Continuing breastfeeding while
feeding solid foods to two years or older
‘We help pregnant women and new mothers learn about breastfeeding pretty much every day of the year’ says Brylin
Highton, La Leche League Leader in Dunedin for many years. ‘But this week, our efforts are aimed at getting the message
out to the wider community that the more you breastfeed, the more you and your baby benefit’.