Blog Post: On Target, Off Target

It is wonderful that more than 70% of babies are being put to the breast. However, using this number to say that the government's goal has been met is hugely misleading. Only 41% of mothers make it to 6 mths. feeding any amount of breast milk, and less than 12% make it to 6 mths. exclusively breast feeding.

Our focus should not only be on increasing breat feeding rates amongst the groups Kate mentioned. We should also look at how long breast feeding relationships are being sustained. We must also look at the impact formula freebies and poor information about breast feeding effects these numbers. Putting babies to the breast is a fantastic start, but keeping formula out of the relationship is nearly as important.