Breastfeeding
Breastfeeding (ūkaipō) is a taonga passed down from our tūpuna. It carries whakapapa and reflects the way Papatūānuku nourishes us, just as wāhine nourish their mokopuna. As te whare tangata, wāhine protect and sustain pēpi
through pregnancy and through wai ū, which acts as rongoā that adapts to meet a baby’s changing needs.
Breast milk is the ideal first food, supporting optimal growth, development, and immunity. It is immediately available, easily digested, and rich in nutrients and protective antibodies. Breastfeeding strengthens the bond between mother and baby and helps your baby grow and develop physically and emotionally.
Te Whāriki
Holistic development – kotahitanga: Supporting breastfeeding promotes holistic development, as breastfeeding also develops the emotional and spiritual connection of mothers and their babies, and provides opportunities for breastfeeding to be normalised around other tamariki.
Relationships – ngā hononga: Observing and learning about breastfeeding through responsive and reciprocal relationships with people, places, and things in the early learning service through routines, activities and discussions.
Handy Actions are ideas, activities and initiatives that your Early Learning Service could implement relating to the topic of Breastfeeding. You could use the list as inspiration or as a checklist to assess what your ELS is currently doing towards 'Breastfeeding' and decide what other ideas could be implemented. Choose actions that suit your service, your community, and where you are at. You don’t need to do everything; these are ideas.
He Pou Oranga Tangata Whenua
Here are some examples of how the pathways of wellbeing can be interwoven into this Block:
Supporting breastfeeding acknowledges that pepi are intimately connected to their mothers in a spiritual way (wairuatanga), just as Papatūānuku sustains and nourishes us. It also shows an emphasis on tamariki as being at the heart of their whānau, demonstrating the importance of relationships and connections (whānaungatanga).
Encouraging and empowering wāhine to nurture and protect their pepi enhances their mana and self-determination (rangatiratanga) as well as developing and growing their skills, knowledge and attitudes (pūkengatanga).
Supporting breastfeeding mothers shows them respect and kindness (manaakitanga) and demonstrates a unity and solidarity (kotahitanga) in advocating for their rights to breastfeed.
Supporting information and evidence
Breastfeeding reduces the risk of illnesses such as infections, allergies, asthma, tummy problems, and SUDI, and it is linked to lower hospitalisation rates. Encouraging and supporting wāhine to breastfeed helps sustain knowledge and wellbeing across generations.
Key Messages
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Exclusive breastfeeding is recommended until babies are around six months.
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From six months, babies need both solids and breast milk up to at least two years or beyond.
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Supporting breastfeeding is a shared responsibility for whānau, workplaces, ELS, health services, and the wider community.
Facts
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Breastfeeding gives a baby the best possible start to life.
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Supporting breastfeeding in ELS benefits children, staff, mothers and parents/whānau.
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Breastfeeding is a human right, and The Human Rights Act (1993) states that preferential treatment for pregnant staff, as well as for those with responsibility for caring for children or dependents, is not considered unlawful.
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In New Zealand Aotearoa only 9.8% of children were exclusively breastfed to around six months according to the 2024/25 Ministry of Health Survey.
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A 2016/17 study showed 75% of NZ public support public breastfeeding
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Women are four times more likely to stop breastfeeding their baby at three months of age or less if they do not receive workplace support.
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28% of women are not aware of the legislation which requires employers to provide appropriate breaks and facilities for breastfeeding.
