New mothers face conflicting breastfeeding advice as Australian guidelines show inconsistencies

Maddy Barrett, a first-time mother, described how nurses, lactation consultants and midwives gave her divergent instructions on how to latch her newborn, leaving her without a feeding plan upon discharge. In the weeks that followed her baby’s weight dropped, and hospital staff imposed a demanding “triple feeding” schedule of breastfeeding, pumping and formula, which Barrett said exhausted her and unsettled her child. Her story reflects a broader pattern reported by other parents, and a 2024 review published in the Journal of Midwifery rated five Australian antenatal care guidelines poorly in scope, rigor and clarity.

Nicole Highet of the Centre of Perinatal Excellence said conflicting advice undermines confidence and can worsen anxiety, while Erin Seeto of the Gidget Foundation highlighted gaps in postnatal depression screening beyond six weeks. Both experts called for consistent, evidence-based support and better alignment of policy with guidelines to protect maternal mental health.