Australia's breastfeeding rates have dropped once mothers leave hospital, with even fewer still at it a year later. Four in five women were breastfeeding their baby when they were discharged from hospital, but only one in five were still doing so a year later.
Breastfeeding is good for both mother and baby. Breastfed infants are less likely to have allergies and infections, while women reduce their risk for premenopausal breast and ovarian cancer, and osteoperosis.