Breastfeeding support: where to get help
Breastfeeding can be one of the most rewarding parts of early parenthood, and also one of the most challenging. Many Australian families encounter difficulties in the first days and weeks, and knowing where to turn for reliable, practical support makes a significant difference. Australia has a strong network of free and low-cost breastfeeding support, from around-the-clock phone counselling to in-person consultations and online communities. This article maps out your options clearly so you can get the right help quickly.
If you need to speak to someone right now, the Australian Breastfeeding Association (ABA) helpline is 1800 686 268 (1800 mum 2 mum). It is free to call and available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Your first line of support: Child and Family Health Nurses
Child and Family Health Nurses (CFHNs) are the primary postnatal support professionals across Australia. In Victoria they are known as Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Nurses; other states and territories use the Child and Family Health Nurse title. Whatever they are called in your state, their role is the same: to support you and your baby from birth through the early years, with breastfeeding support forming a core part of that work.
You will be connected with a CFHN shortly after birth, usually through your hospital or birthing centre. From there, standard check-ins are scheduled at key intervals: around 1 to 4 weeks, 6 to 8 weeks, 4 months, 8 months, 12 months and beyond. At every visit, your CFHN will ask about feeding, assess your baby's growth, and offer hands-on breastfeeding support if needed. These appointments are free.
If you are struggling between scheduled visits, do not wait. Most CFHN services offer a phone line or drop-in clinic, and many can fit in an extra home visit in the early weeks when challenges are most common. Your hospital discharge paperwork or My Health Record will include your local service's contact number. You can also find your nearest service through your state or territory health department website.
CFHNs are well placed to assess latch and positioning, support you through engorgement, help you identify potential supply concerns, and refer you to a lactation consultant when more specialised support is needed. They are a trusted, free first port of call for the vast majority of breastfeeding questions.
Australian Breastfeeding Association: what they offer
The Australian Breastfeeding Association (ABA) is the main community breastfeeding organisation in Australia. It was founded in 1964 and operates on a volunteer peer-support model, meaning the people who answer the helpline and run the support groups have breastfeeding experience themselves and are trained as ABA Breastfeeding Counsellors.
The ABA helpline number is 1800 686 268 (1800 mum 2 mum). It is available every hour of every day, including public holidays, and the call is free from Australian landlines and most mobile plans. If you are up at 3 am with a painful latch, engorged breasts, or a baby who is not settling after a feed, this is the number to call. The counsellors can help you work through common challenges in real time and guide you toward the right next step if further support is needed.
Beyond the helpline, the ABA offers:
- Local support groups: In-person group meetups run by trained volunteers across Australia. These are social as well as practical, connecting you with other breastfeeding families in your area. Use the interactive map on the ABA website to find your nearest group.
- Newborn Virtual Village: Live, twice-weekly online sessions for new parents in the early weeks. If you cannot get to an in-person group, or if your closest group does not meet frequently enough, these online sessions offer the same peer support format from home.
- Online forums and resources: The ABA website hosts a library of evidence-based breastfeeding information organised by stage, from pregnancy through 12 months and beyond. The forums allow you to post questions and connect with other families.
- Antenatal breastfeeding education classes: Attending an ABA breastfeeding class during pregnancy is one of the most effective ways to prepare. These classes cover positioning, attachment, what to expect in the early days, recognising adequate milk transfer, and how to access help. They are available in-person in many areas and online.
- Breast pump hire: The ABA operates a breast pump hire program, which is useful if you need a hospital-grade pump but do not want to purchase one outright.
- Lactation consultant referrals: ABA counsellors can help you identify when you need an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) and point you to options in your area.
ABA membership is not required to access the helpline, support groups, or most online resources. Membership does provide additional benefits and directly supports the organisation's volunteer model.
Lactation consultants (IBCLCs): when to see one and how to access
An International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) is a health professional with specialist training in breastfeeding medicine. They are the right person to see when challenges go beyond what a phone call or group support can resolve: significant latch difficulties, persistent low supply concerns, recurrent mastitis, nipple damage, or suspected tongue tie are all good reasons for a one-on-one consultation.
There are three main ways to access an IBCLC in Australia:
Hospital-based lactation consultants: Most maternity hospitals employ at least one IBCLC. If you are still an inpatient, ask the midwifery team to arrange a visit before you go home. Many hospitals also offer outpatient breastfeeding clinics where you can book a follow-up appointment after discharge, usually at no cost or for a small fee. This is your first port of call for complex breastfeeding issues in the early weeks.
Private IBCLCs: Private lactation consultants offer appointments in their clinics or in your home. Fees vary but typically range from around $100 to $200 per consultation. Private appointments are not routinely covered by Medicare, but if your GP refers you under a Chronic Disease Management (CDM) plan, a rebate may apply. It is worth asking your GP whether this is an option for your situation. Some private health funds also provide a rebate for lactation consultations, so check your extras cover.
Community health centres: Many community health centres, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community Controlled Health Services, employ or can refer to an IBCLC. These services are often free or low-cost. Your CFHN can point you to the options available in your local area.
When searching for a private IBCLC, look for the IBCLC credential specifically. The ABA maintains a referral directory on its website to help you find a qualified consultant near you.
Common breastfeeding challenges and where to get help
Most breastfeeding difficulties are solvable with the right support. Here is a brief guide to the most common challenges Australian families encounter and where to turn for each.
Latch and positioning issues
A poor latch is the most common cause of nipple pain and is often behind concerns about low supply and unsettled feeding behaviour. A good latch should feel comfortable for you once it is established: deep attachment, wide mouth, no pinching. If your baby is making clicking sounds, frequently slipping off the breast, or feeds are consistently painful, this needs to be addressed promptly. Call the ABA helpline (1800 686 268), see your CFHN, or request a lactation consultant review. Getting attachment right early prevents many other difficulties from developing.
Engorgement
Engorgement is most common in the first week when your milk comes in. The breasts become very full, hard and sometimes uncomfortable. Feeding frequently and on demand is the most effective response. If the breast is so full that your baby cannot latch, expressing a small amount by hand before a feed can soften the areola and make attachment easier. Your CFHN or the ABA helpline can walk you through hand expression technique. Avoid restricting feeds or expressing large volumes, as this can signal the breast to produce more milk and prolong engorgement.
Mastitis
Mastitis is an inflammation of breast tissue that can develop into an infection. Symptoms include a hot, red, painful area of the breast, often combined with flu-like feelings: fever, body aches, and fatigue. It is important to continue breastfeeding or expressing from the affected breast during mastitis, as stopping abruptly can worsen the situation. See your GP promptly: if mastitis is infectious, antibiotics are usually needed. Your GP can also check whether an abscess is forming, which requires different treatment. Contact the ABA helpline for support with positioning while you recover.
Nipple pain
Some nipple sensitivity in the first days is normal as both you and your baby learn to feed. Persistent, sharp or burning pain is not, and should be investigated. Possible causes include latch issues, nipple damage, thrush (a fungal infection that can affect both you and your baby), or, less commonly, conditions such as Raynaud's phenomenon of the nipple. Each has a different treatment pathway. Seek advice from your CFHN, the ABA helpline, or a lactation consultant rather than managing pain alone.
Low supply concerns
Perceived low supply is very common, but true low supply is less so. A baby who is feeding frequently, producing enough wet and dirty nappies, and gaining weight appropriately is almost certainly getting enough milk. If you have concerns, your CFHN can assess your baby's growth and output and help you distinguish between perceived and actual supply difficulties. Frequent feeding, good attachment and avoiding unnecessary formula supplementation are the most effective ways to support supply. If genuine supply difficulties are identified, a lactation consultant can investigate the cause and develop a plan.
Tongue tie
Tongue tie (ankyloglossia) is a tightening of the tissue under the tongue that can restrict its movement and affect breastfeeding. It presents differently in different babies, and not all tongue ties require treatment. Assessment and management of tongue tie varies significantly across Australia: access to experienced paediatric dentists and ENT specialists who perform frenulotomy (the release procedure) differs by state and region. If tongue tie is suspected, ask for a referral to an IBCLC who is experienced in tongue tie assessment, and the ABA helpline can help you navigate the referral pathway in your state. Not every clinician assesses tongue tie in the same way, so a second opinion is always reasonable if you remain concerned after an initial assessment.
Breastfeeding at work: your rights
Returning to work while breastfeeding is manageable with the right planning and workplace support. Australian law provides protections that are worth knowing about.
Under the Fair Work Act, employees who are parents or carers have the right to request flexible working arrangements from their employer once they have been with the same employer for at least 12 months. This includes reduced hours, a change to start and finish times, or the ability to work from home on some days. Employers can only refuse a request on reasonable business grounds and must provide a written response.
The Sex Discrimination Act protects breastfeeding mothers from discrimination at work. Breastfeeding is a protected attribute under this legislation, which means an employer cannot treat you unfavourably because you are breastfeeding or need to express milk.
In practical terms, if you plan to express milk at work, you will need access to a private space (not a toilet), time to express, and somewhere to store expressed milk safely. Talking to your employer before you return to work gives both sides time to make arrangements. The ABA website has resources specifically for breastfeeding at work, and the ABA also runs a Breastfeeding Friendly Workplaces initiative that some employers have joined.
Australia's federal paid parental leave scheme provides 18 weeks at the national minimum wage, with many employers providing additional top-up. Extended parental leave can support breastfeeding in the early months, so it is worth understanding your full entitlements before your baby arrives.
NHMRC recommendations: how long to breastfeed
The National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) is Australia's peak body for health and medical research. Its infant feeding guidelines provide the evidence base for breastfeeding recommendations in Australia.
The NHMRC recommends:
- Exclusive breastfeeding for around the first 6 months of life. Exclusive means breast milk only, with no other foods or fluids (other than vitamin D drops if recommended by your doctor).
- Continued breastfeeding alongside solid foods from around 6 months, with breastfeeding continuing for at least the first 12 months and beyond for as long as both mother and child wish to continue.
These are population-level guidelines based on the best available evidence about health outcomes for infants and mothers. They are not a rigid rule for every family. Some families breastfeed for shorter periods due to medical circumstances, personal choice, or challenges that cannot be resolved. Others continue well into toddlerhood. There is no upper age limit on breastfeeding in Australian health guidelines.
It is worth knowing that these same NHMRC guidelines emphasise that when breastfeeding is not possible or chosen, infant formula is the only suitable alternative to breast milk for babies under 12 months. The guidelines do not judge families who formula feed or combination feed; they provide a framework for those who want to breastfeed to understand the evidence behind the recommendations.
Online resources: reliable Australian sources
When you are looking for breastfeeding information online, the quality of sources varies enormously. The following are reliable, evidence-based Australian resources:
- Australian Breastfeeding Association (breastfeeding.asn.au): The most comprehensive Australian-specific resource, organised by baby's age and covering a wide range of challenges, techniques and circumstances. All content is reviewed by qualified health professionals.
- Raising Children Network (raisingchildren.net.au): An Australian government-supported parenting website with thoroughly reviewed breastfeeding content, including video guides on positioning and attachment. A useful first stop for general parenting questions as well as feeding.
- Healthdirect (healthdirect.gov.au): Australia's national health information service, funded by the Australian Government and state and territory health departments. Healthdirect also operates a nurse-on-call phone line (1800 022 222) that can advise on health concerns, including feeding-related ones, and refer you to an appropriate service. Available 24 hours a day.
- NHMRC (nhmrc.gov.au): For those who want to read the primary guidelines, the NHMRC Infant Feeding Guidelines are freely available on the NHMRC website.
If you encounter information that contradicts what your CFHN or lactation consultant has told you, go back to them with your questions rather than acting on advice from unverified sources. Breastfeeding guidance evolves and varies by individual circumstances, so a professional who knows your situation is always a better guide than a general internet search.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Australian Breastfeeding Association helpline number?
The Australian Breastfeeding Association (ABA) helpline is 1800 686 268, also written as 1800 mum 2 mum. It is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and is staffed by trained volunteer breastfeeding counsellors. The call is free from Australian landlines and most mobile plans.
Can I get free breastfeeding support in Australia?
Yes. Several free options exist. Child and Family Health Nurses (CFHNs) provide breastfeeding support at all standard postnatal check-ins at no cost. The ABA helpline (1800 686 268) is free to call at any time. Hospital-based lactation consultants are also free for inpatients and are often available for outpatient appointments. ABA support groups and online forums are free to attend.
Does Medicare cover lactation consultants?
Private lactation consultant appointments are not routinely covered by Medicare on their own. However, if your GP refers you under a Chronic Disease Management (CDM) plan, a Medicare rebate may apply. It is worth discussing this with your GP. Hospital-based lactation consultants are free for hospital patients. Some private health fund extras policies also include a rebate for lactation consultations.
What should I do if breastfeeding is painful?
Breastfeeding should not be consistently painful once a good latch is established. If you have ongoing nipple pain, seek help promptly rather than pushing through. Contact your Child and Family Health Nurse, call the ABA helpline (1800 686 268), or request a review by a hospital or private lactation consultant. Persistent pain may indicate latch issues, nipple damage, thrush or, in some cases, tongue tie. Getting help early usually leads to better outcomes.
How long should I breastfeed according to Australian guidelines?
The National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) recommends exclusive breastfeeding for around the first 6 months, then continued breastfeeding alongside solid foods for at least the first 12 months and beyond for as long as you and your baby wish to continue. These are population-level guidelines; the right duration for your family depends on individual circumstances.
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