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Australian Breastfeeding Association

The Australian Breastfeeding Association(ABA) is a non-profit organisation founded in 1964 to encourage and support mothers who want to breastfeed their babies, while raising community awareness of the importance of breastfeeding and human milk to child and maternal health.

ABA’s 1200 trained volunteer breastfeeding counsellors and community educators provide services over the phone, online and face-to-face in the community to support mothers.

These services include the 24-hour Breastfeeding Helpline 1800 mum 2 mum (1800 686 268), eCounselling, antenatal Breastfeeding Education Classes, local support groups and evidence-based information provided online and in books and other literature. Mothers access the full range of ABA benefits by becoming a member.

Breastfeeding counsellors are mothers who have breastfed at least one baby and have completed a Certificate IV in Breastfeeding Education. They work voluntarily to provide empathy, reassurance and up-to-date information to help other mothers.

The ABA’s Lactation Resource Centre (LRC) collects research and information on breastfeeding from around the world into an accessible resource library. The LRC provides professional development opportunities and expert assistance to health professionals working with breastfeeding mothers. Training includes live venue and online seminars and home study courses.

Recommended links

This information was originally published on healthdirect - Australian Breastfeeding Association.

Last reviewed: May 2018

Information from this partner

Found 136 results

Sore/cracked nipples | Australian Breastfeeding Association

Mothers are often surprised to find breastfeeding feels more awkward, complicated or painful than they were prepared for. Breastfeeding is a learned skill for mothers. Like with learning any new skill, it can take some time to get the hang of breastfeeding.  Sometimes breastfeeding feels difficult because mothers have been given traditional advice to position their babies in a way that feels uncomfortable. Uncomfortable breastfeeding positions can cause your baby to squash the nipple as they feed.

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How long should I breastfeed my baby? | Australian Breastfeeding Association

How long to continue breastfeeding for is a personal decision for each family to make. In nearly all cases breastfeeding is the best choice for babies. Read here about what breastfeeding provides at the different ages and stages of your baby's life.

Read more on Australian Breastfeeding Association website

Breastfeeding and prescription medications | Australian Breastfeeding Association

Prescription medications and breastfeedingThere are few medications which preclude breastfeeding. Nonetheless, before your doctor prescribes a medication for you, make sure he or she knows that you are breastfeeding. If your doctor is unsure whether or not you can breastfeed safely while taking a particular medication, ask that they check with drug information experts.

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Lactose intolerance and the breastfed baby | Australian Breastfeeding Association

Lactose intolerance is poorly understood in the Australian community. There are lots of myths and misunderstandings about it, especially when it comes to babies. Primary (or true) lactose intolerance is an extremely rare genetic condition and lactose intolerance is very different to intolerance or allergy to cows' milk protein. This article explains the differences between lactose intolerance and other conditions such as food allergies and lactose overload and dispels some of the myths about lactose intolerance in babies.

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Breastfeeding and anaesthesia | Australian Breastfeeding Association

It is usually possible to continue breastfeeding if you or your baby need to have a surgery. It is important to discuss with the surgeon and anaesthetist when it is safe to begin breastfeeding again after surgery.

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Breastfeeding Helpline | Australian Breastfeeding Association

The Australian Breastfeeding Association (ABA) runs the National Breastfeeding Helpline 1800 mum 2 mum (1800 686 268). The Breastfeeding Helpline is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. It is staffed by trained, volunteer counsellors who answer calls on a roster system in their own homes.

Read more on Australian Breastfeeding Association website

Returning to Work & Breastfeeding | Australian Breastfeeding Association

Many mothers successfully combine a return to work or study with continued breastfeeding. Like most things, a little planning goes a long way.

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Breastfeeding triplets, quads or more! | Australian Breastfeeding Association

Some mothers find breastfeeding one baby demanding. Breastfeeding three or four or more could be viewed as a definite challenge. But many mothers succeed. Knowing how breastfeeding works will help you understand how it is possible to breastfeed twins, triplets, quads or more.

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Engorgement | Australian Breastfeeding Association

What is engorgement?You may find that your breasts become larger and feel heavy, warmer and uncomfortable when your milk ‘comes in’, usually about 2–6 days after your baby is born. This is normal. It does not affect milk flow or the ability of your baby to attach to your breast.

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Mixed feeding | Australian Breastfeeding Association

Regardless of whether a mother exclusively breastfeeds, exclusively uses formula or does a combination (mixed feeding), she has done her very best and has made decisions that were right at the time, based on the support and information she had available to her.

Read more on Australian Breastfeeding Association website

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This information is for your general information and use only and is not intended to be used as medical advice and should not be used to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any medical condition, nor should it be used for therapeutic purposes.

The information is not a substitute for independent professional advice and should not be used as an alternative to professional health care. If you have a particular medical problem, please consult a healthcare professional.

Except as permitted under the Copyright Act 1968, this publication or any part of it may not be reproduced, altered, adapted, stored and/or distributed in any form or by any means without the prior written permission of Healthdirect Australia.