This World Breastfeeding Week, the theme ‘Breastfeeding for a Sustainable Start in Life: Strengthen What Works’ recognises the proven benefits of breastfeeding for babies, mothers, families and communities.
It also highlights the importance of building on the supports, services and evidence-based information that help women make informed decisions and achieve their breastfeeding goals.
Breastfeeding provides babies with optimal nutrition and supports healthy growth and development. It is one of the most effective ways to give children a strong start in life, contributing to both immediate and long-term health outcomes.
For women who are breastfeeding, having access to clear, consistent health information is essential. This includes information about alcohol and breastfeeding. The National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) Australian Guidelines to Reduce Health Risks from Drinking Alcohol state:
- To prevent harm from alcohol to their unborn child, women who are pregnant or planning a pregnancy should not drink alcohol.
- For women who are breastfeeding, not drinking alcohol is safest for their baby.
The FASD Hub Australia Chair Professor Elizabeth Elliott emphasises the importance of supporting women with evidence-based advice:
“Alcohol passes from the bloodstream directly into breastmilk, meaning that when there is alcohol in a mother’s blood, there is also alcohol in her breastmilk. Research shows that alcohol exposure through breastmilk can affect infant feeding and sleeping patterns and may impact brain development.”
Whether it’s guidance from health professionals, encouragement from family and friends, workplace flexibility or access to trusted information, these supports can help women feel confident and empowered throughout their breastfeeding journey.
“Alcohol should be avoided during breastfeeding, and health professionals must support women to make an informed choice about alcohol use while breastfeeding. Partners, families, friends and health professionals all play an important role in creating supportive environments that help mothers and babies thrive,” says Professor Elliott.
The FASD Hub houses curated resources on pregnancy and breastfeeding including:
- Alcohol, pregnancy and breastfeeding fact sheets and webinars
- information from the NHMRC Australian Guidelines to Reduce Health Risks from Drinking Alcohol
- Ways of communicating alcohol-related health advice
- Supporting women and families with non-judgemental, evidence-based information
- Publications and resources supporting evidence-based practices
- Information on the Every Moment Matters community awareness campaign on alcohol harms in pregnancy.
This World Breastfeeding Week, let’s strengthen what works by ensuring women have access to the support they need. Together, we can promote healthier pregnancies and safer breastfeeding practices.
