Breastfeeding

Breastfeeding offers many benefits to you and your baby, including helping the two of you to build a close and loving bond.

Why is breastfeeding important for my baby?

• For the first 6 months of your baby’s life, breast milk alone can meet all of his or her nutritional needs.
• Breast milk increases your baby's ability to fight infection and disease.
• Breastfeeding is available whenever your baby needs it.

As with learning any new skill, some mothers may need advice and support when learning to breastfeed.

Find out more about:

• Advice for dads of breastfed babies
• Alcohol and drug use when breastfeeding
• Blocked milk ducts
• Breastfeeding, expressing and storing breast milk
• Caring for your nipples when breastfeeding
• Common breastfeeding issues
• Donating your breast milk
• Expressing and storing breast milk
• Engorgement
• Food safety for breastfeeding
• Getting started with breastfeeding
• Healthy eating for breastfeeding
• Hepatitis C and breastfeeding
• Mastitis
• Medications and breastfeeding
• Signs your baby is hungry
• Signs your breast milk is flowing
• Sterilising teats bottles and dummies
• Using expressed breast milk for extra feeds
• Vitamin D for pregnant women and new mothers

Where to get help

Breastfeeding Centre of WA

• Counselling and appointments 8.00am to 4.00pm Monday to Friday
• Phone: (08) 6458 1844
• More information about Breastfeeding Centre of WA

Australian Breastfeeding Association (ABA)

• National Breastfeeding Helpline available 24 hours, 7 days a week
• Phone: 1800 mum 2 mum (1800 686 268)
• Visit the ABA website (external site)

Ngala Parenting Line

• Phone: (08) 9368 9368 – 8.00am to 8.00pm 7 days a week
• Outside metro area – Free call 1800 111 546 (free from land line only)
• Visit the Ngala website (external site)

You can also:

• See your doctor
• Visit healthdirect (external site) or call 1800 022 222
• Visit BBVS and STIs in Antenatal Care, ASHM (external site)

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This publication is provided for education and information purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical care. Information about a therapy, service, product or treatment does not imply endorsement and is not intended to replace advice from your healthcare professional. Readers should note that over time currency and completeness of the information may change. All users should seek advice from a qualified healthcare professional for a diagnosis and answers to their medical questions.