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Is breastfeeding best practice?

Patricia McVeagh
Med J Aust 2002; 177 (3): . || doi: 10.5694/j.1326-5377.2002.tb04696.x
Published online: 5 August 2002

With our high standards of sanitation and healthcare, how important is breastfeeding?

Any breastfeeding advocate can rattle off a list of the advantages of breastfeeding to infants, their mothers and society. The list of benefits ranges from better emotional attachment to a lower risk of childhood leukaemia or dental malocclusion. However, claims of benefit have been contentious, with many studies failing to demonstrate a clear advantage and some even showing increased risk of a negative health outcome with breastfeeding.


  • 116 Artarmon Road, Artarmon, NSW.


Correspondence: pmcveagh@ozemail.com.au

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