Periods while breastfeeding

Many factors determine when your period will return when you're breastfeeding. Learn more about how breastfeeding affects your menstrual cycle.

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About breastfeeding

Breastfeeding can be a special time for both mum and baby. Breast milk meets all your baby's nutritional needs from birth to 6 months.

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Breastfeeding problems

Breastfeeding is not always easy. You may have some problems, particularly if you are a new mum. It is a learned art — don’t worry, most problems can be overcome.

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Breastfeeding and work

Links to information about breastfeeding and returning to work.

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Medicines and breastfeeding

While most medicines are safe to take while breastfeeding, some can affect your baby. Find out which medicines you can take and how to get advice.

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Why 4 in 10 mothers stop breastfeeding by 6 months

Most new parents know 'breast is best', but while more than 9 out of 10 babies are breastfed at birth, few mums are breastfeeding exclusively 5 months later.

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How to breastfeed

Breastfeeding is a partnership between you and your baby and it takes time to establish breastfeeding successfully. It may take up to 6 weeks for you to feel confident.

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Mastitis

Mastitis occurs when breast tissue gets inflamed, usually due to a blocked milk duct from breastfeeding. It can lead to infection.

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Baby feeding

It is important to talk to your midwives, nurses or doctor if your baby is not feeding as you expect. Here's information about breast feeding, formula feeding and moving onto solids.

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How your baby gains weight

All babies will gain weight differently, but there are some guidelines for healthy weight gain.

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A balanced diet

A guide to getting the right portions of the 5 food groups — whether you're male, female, a child, an older person or breastfeeding.

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Mini pill (progestogen-only pill)

The 'mini pill' is a type of contraceptive. It contains only one hormone and you can use it while breastfeeding.

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Babies' and toddlers' health

Knowing and understanding the health risks of young children is an important part of being a parent. Learn about health issues like breastfeeding, croup and fevers in young children.

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Iodine deficiency

Iodine deficiency is the most common cause of thyroid disease and can even cause brain damage in babies. During pregnancy and breastfeeding, women should take iodine supplements. Learn more here.

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Pregnancy and COVID-19

Learn more about how COVID-19 can affect you and your baby. Read about what to do if you test positive while pregnant.

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Expressing and storing breast milk

Expressing milk means squeezing milk out of your breast so that you can store it and feed it to your baby at a later time.

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Foods high in iodine

Foods high in iodine include fish, prawns and seafood, as well as iodised salt and packaged bread. Here's how to get enough iodine in your diet.

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Oxytocin

Oxytocin is a hormone that makes you feel love and trust. Understand the role of oxytocin and find out if you can adjust the levels of this hormone in your body.

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Asthma and pregnancy

Most asthma medicines have been shown to be extremely safe for both you and your developing baby but check with your doctor if taking oral corticosteroids.

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Smoking and pregnancy

Find out how quitting smoking will improve your health and give your baby the best start in life.

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Iodine and your health

Iodine is essential for making proteins and for the growth of your bones and nerves. Here's how to get enough iodine in your diet.

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HTLV-1 infection

Human T-cell leukaemia virus type 1 (HTLV-1) is a virus that infects T-cells, white blood cells that form part of the immune system. Learn more here.

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Your baby and the first few weeks

The first few weeks at home with your newborn can be an exciting but daunting time, particularly if you are new parents. Find out what care and support are available to you after you leave hospital.

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Paracetamol

You can take paracetamol for mild to moderate pain. Here’s some information on how paracetamol works, when you should not take it and possible side effects.

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This Reconciliation Week, celebrate the good news in indigenous health

The health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people has seen several improvements in recent years. To mark Reconciliation Week, here are 6 good news stories.

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Take medicines seriously

Around 9 million Australians take prescription medicine daily; millions more take over-the-counter meds. It's crucial they're taken properly and stored safely.

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PET scan

A PET (positron emission tomography) scan is an imaging test used to diagnose certain diseases. Find out what the scan involves and how it works.

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Dietary supplements

Also called food supplements or vitamin pills, dietary supplements may fill any nutritional gaps in your diet. But most people don’t need them.

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Botulism

Botulism is a rare illness caused by a toxin produced by Clostridium botulinum bacteria. Learn how you can reduce your risk with preventative measures.

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Alcohol - an overview

Alcohol is a legal but mood-changing drug. Read more about alcohol’s effects on the body, about safe drinking, ‘standard drinks’ and more.

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