Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 2022 Jan 3;14(1):206.
doi: 10.3390/nu14010206.

The Australian Feeding Infants and Toddler Study (OzFITS 2021): Breastfeeding and Early Feeding Practices

Merryn J Netting  1   2   3 , Najma A Moumin  1   2 , Emma J Knight  1   4 , Rebecca K Golley  5 , Maria Makrides  1   2 , Tim J Green  1   2
Affiliations

The Australian Feeding Infants and Toddler Study (OzFITS 2021): Breastfeeding and Early Feeding Practices

Merryn J Netting et al. Nutrients. .

Abstract

The Australian Feeding Infants and Toddler Study 2021 (OzFITS 2021) is a nationwide survey of Australian caregivers' infant and toddler feeding practices. Here, we describe breastfeeding rates and duration, use of breastmilk substitutes, and introduction of complementary (solid) foods, including common food allergens. Caregivers (n = 1140) were recruited by a digital marketing company and were interviewed using a structured telephone questionnaire to obtain information. Breastfeeding was initiated in 98% of infants, but the duration of exclusive breastfeeding to six months was less than 1%. Nearly 40% of children continued to receive breastmilk beyond one year, with 10% of toddlers receiving breastmilk at two years. One-quarter of infants were introduced to solid foods between 4 to 5 months, and nearly all infants had received solid foods by 7 months. New guidelines encourage the early introduction of potential food allergens to reduce the risk of allergy, and by 12 months, over 90% of children had been given eggs and peanuts. One-third of children received no breastmilk substitutes during their first year. One-third of infants first received breastmilk substitutes following birth and before discharge from the hospital. Of these infants, 30% ceased breastmilk substitute use after discharge. Our findings suggest a high rate of continued breastfeeding with 44% receiving breastmilk beyond 1 year. One approach to increase the duration of exclusive breastfeeding is to reduce breastmilk substitute use while in hospital.

Keywords: Australian feeding infants and toddler study; allergen introduction; breastfeeding; feeding practices; nutrient intakes; solid feeding.

PubMed Disclaimer

Conflict of interest statement

Honoraria from talks have been paid to Netting’s and Green’s institution to support professional development by the Nestlé Nutrition Institute and from Nestlé Dubai, respectively. Makrides reports serving on a board for Trajan Nutrition until November 2020. There are no other financial disclosures or conflicts of interest to declare.

References

    1. Victoria C.G., Bahle R., Barros A.J.D., Franca V.A., Horton S., Krasevec J., Murch S., Sankar M.J., Walker N., Rollins N.C., et al. Breastfeeding in the 21st century: Epidemiology, mechanisms, and lifelong effect. Lancet. 2016;387:475–490. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(15)01024-7. - DOI - PubMed
    1. WHO (World Health Organisation) Indicators for Assessing Infant and Young Child Feeding Practices—Part 1: Definitions: Conclusions of A Consensus Meeting Held 6–8 November 2007 in Washington, DC, USA. [(accessed on 9 October 2021)]. Available online: https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240018389.
    1. NHMRC . Infant Feeding Guidelines: Summary. National Health and Medical Research Council; Canberra, Australia: 2013.
    1. Australian Institute of Health and Welfare . 2010 Australian National Infant Feeding Survey: Indicator Results. Australian Institute of Health and Welfare; Canberra, Australia: 2011.
    1. Netting M.J., Campbell D.E., Koplin J.J., Beck K.M., McWilliam V., Dharmage S.C., Tang M.L.K., Ponsonby A.L., Prescott S.L., Vale S., et al. An Australian Consensus on Infant Feeding Guidelines to Prevent Food Allergy: Outcomes From the Australian Infant Feeding Summit. J. Allergy Clin. Immunol. Pract. 2017;5:870–875. doi: 10.1016/j.jaip.2017.03.013. - DOI - PubMed