A breast feeding strategy has drawn support from unusual quarters: infant formula manufacturers.
Nestle told ninemsn that breast milk was "the gold standard in infant nutrition".
A spokeswoman for Nestle said the food company, in a submission to a federal government enquiry into breastfeeding, recommended that "efforts be directed towards providing greater access to nutritional experts and lactation consultants to assist in establishing and maintaining breastfeeding both in the hospital and in-home environments."
Infant formula, the spokeswoman added, is "the next best alternative" for women who "either cannot, or choose not to, breastfeed."
The push for mothers to feed their infants breast milk has intensified recently with several initiatives promoting the "breast is best" ethos.
State and federal governments today launched a five-year plan to promote breastfeeding as a way to fight obesity and chronic disease.
The Australian National Breastfeeding Strategy encourages mothers to avoid using the bottled milk in the first six months and will also launch a national breast milk bank to feed sick and premature babies, despite a similar scheme in Queensland closing due to lack of funding.
A 2004 study said 92 percent of newborns were breastfed initially but the number had dropped to slightly more than half of babies at the three-month mark.
Claudia Keech, founder of parenting website Mothers Inc said she supported the governement initiative but also told ninemsn, "every person, every baby is different and there can be no rigid rules in place. "
The Royal Women's Hospital in Melbourne advises women that breast milk is the best food for babies and that supplements such as infant formula are not necessary if you are already breastfeeding.
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