Breastfeeding and Nutrition

Breastfeeding helps lay the foundations of a healthy life for a baby and also makes a positive contribution to the health and wider wellbeing of breastfeeding parents and whānau/families. Exclusive breastfeeding is recommended until babies are around 6 months.

Information about breastfeeding on the Ministry of Health website

The mission of La Leche League is to help parents to breastfeed through parent-to-parent support, education, information, and encouragement. It also aims to promote a better understanding of breastfeeding as an important element in the healthy development of the baby and breastfeeding parent.

Information about the La Leche League

This report provides an overview of specific breastfeeding intervention programmes across Aotearoa.

Programme providers were spoken with directly and the Report outlines the theory for improving breastfeeding rates, how the programme is implemented and how it works for Māori. Information is also provided on how users can access the service as well as any data supporting its effectiveness.

The report is useful for Maternity and Child Health Leaders and Portfolio Managers, as well as Māori and Pacific leaders and health professionals who want to increase breastfeeding uptake in their regions.

The New Zealand Breastfeeding Alliance is a collaborative of breastfeeding organisations including:

• Hospital Maternity Managers
• Midwives
• Māori Organisations
• Pacifika Health Providers
• Medical Groups
• Lactation Consultants
• Dietitians
• Whānau Āwhina Plunket
• Parent Centre
• La Leche League

NZBA was established in 1998 to promote, protect and support breastfeeding in New Zealand, and is funded by the Ministry of Health to manage the Baby Friendly Initiative (BFI) programmes for hospitals and communities, including awarding accreditation certificates.

Information about the New Zealand Breastfeeding Alliance

This National Breastfeeding Strategy published by the Ministry of Health was developed with the intention and commitment to protect, promote, and support breastfeeding in Aotearoa.

Information about the National Breastfeeding Strategy for New Zealand

The Ministry of Health does not recommend baby-led weaning as population health advice in New Zealand.

Information about the baby-led weaning ministry position statement

Being a fussy eater is normal in young children but can be worrying and frustrating for parents. As long as children are growing and developing healthily, they're eating enough.

Find more information about fussy eaters on the Health Navigator website

This collection of population-specific nutrition and physical activity guidelines provide the Ministry’s evidence base for nutrition and physical activity advice. These documents are an important tool for health practitioners and others who provide advice on nutrition and physical activity. Each guideline has an accompanying health education resource for the general public.

Information about the nutrition and activity guidelines on the Ministry of Health website

Intuto is an online learning platform developed by Whānau Āwhina Plunket developed  to support WCTO nurses in their mahi prior to undertaking the Postgraduate Certificate in Primary Health Care and while on the programme.

Accessing Intuto:

Please contact your WCTO Team leader/Manager to access the registration link and information to access Intuto.

The purpose for which the Association is established is to foster optimal breastfeeding parent and child health by protecting, promoting and supporting breastfeeding and the use of human milk for infants.

Information and the New Zealand Lactation Consultants Association (NZLCA)

A number of publications relating to breastfeeding have been published by the Ministry of Health.

Information about breastfeeding publications

This online presentation has been developed for pregnant parents as a guide to breastfeeding. It examines the health benefits of breastfeeding and breastmilk and provides practical advice and approaches to establishing and managing breastfeeding successfully.

Information about breastfeeding

Information on infant feeding, nutrition, and solid foods.

Information about starting solids

Food information for babies and toddlers from birth to 2 years old. Includes breastfeeding and the benefits of breast milk, formula feeding, drinking plenty of fluids, starting solids, how to prevent choking, good nutrition and dietary variety, healthy eating habits, and meal ideas for babies and toddlers.

Information about eating for healthy babies and toddlers

For use by health professionals in advising parents and caregivers who have decided to partially or completely formula feed a baby. The booklet includes clear instructions on bottle feeding and how to choose an infant formula.

Information about feeding your baby infant formula