Update of the evidence base to support the review of the NSW Health Breastfeeding Policy (PD2006_012): A rapid appraisal.

Abstract

This report provides the findings from a rapid review and appraisal of the evidence base to support a review of the NSW Health Breastfeeding Policy Breastfeeding in NSW: Protection, Promotion and Support (PD2006_012, NSW Department of Health 2006). This Policy is currently being updated, particularly in consideration of the Australian National Breastfeeding Strategy 2010-2015 and the associated, forthcoming Implementation Plan. The development of the NSW Breastfeeding Policy in 2006 was strongly supported by the systematic evidence base that had accumulated at that time. This review therefore includes evidence since the previous evidence summaries, i.e. since 2005. Specifically, it appraises the evidence around the health benefits of breastfeeding, it identifies those sub-groups of the population that are most at risk of poorer breastfeeding practices (not breastfeeding at all, short duration of breastfeeding, low intensity (exclusivity) of breastfeeding), and it examines the evidence, particularly from systematic reviews, of the effectiveness of interventions to promote, encourage and support breastfeeding.