Breastfeeding and periods

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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Medicines and breastfeeding

While most medicines are safe to take while breastfeeding, some can affect your baby. Learn which medicines you can take and where to go for advice.

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Breastfeeding problems

Breastfeeding isn't always easy. You may have some problems, particularly if you're a new mum. Learn more about the problems here and how to overcome them.

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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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Breastfeeding and work

Links to information about breastfeeding and returning to work.

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Breastfeeding – a personal story

Breastfeeding can be both emotionally and practically challenging. Listening to others who have experienced similar situations is often reassuring and can be helpful. This video interview has been sourced from healthtalkonline.org, award-winning research into patient experiences in conjunction with the Health Experience Research Group at Oxford University, UK.

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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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Weaning

Weaning is when you stop breastfeeding your baby or toddler and start introducing solids (and possibly formula).

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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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Vaginal thrush treatments

Trusted information about vaginal thrush treatments, and alternative treatments if you are pregnant or breastfeeding can be found on this page.

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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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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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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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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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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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Iodine

Iodine is essential for making proteins and the growth of your bones and nerves. Learn more about what you get in iodine and how much you need.

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Breast cancer prevention

Since the causes of breast cancer are not fully understood it is not possible to know if anything can prevent it altogether, but early detection is vital to good outcomes.

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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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Top 7 tips for safe drinking

Drinking can be fun, let’s be honest. But too much can lead to accidents, embarrassment and health problems. Follow this advice to drink safely.

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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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Protein

Eating protein every day is an essential part of a healthy diet. It's important to make sure you eat enough protein at times of life when your cells need to grow or repair.

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Food supplements

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

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Food allergies in children

Does your family have a history of eczema, asthma, hay fever or food allergies? Learn about food allergies in children and how to spot a reaction.

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