Infant feeding and healthy growth conversations

Excessive and rapid weight gain in infancy is associated with higher risk of overweight and obesity in childhood. By 2 – 3 years of age, 20% of children in Australia are above a healthy weight, making early childhood a critical intervention period.
General Practitioners have an important role to play in supporting parents with evidence based feeding practices to establish the foundations for healthy infant growth and development.
This webinar will draw on best practice evidence to guide GPs on key topics including exclusive breastfeeding, formula feeding and introduction of solids.
GPs will be taken through how to correctly assess an infant’s growth and start a sensitive conversation with parents about infant weight gain.

By 2 – 3 years of age, 20% of children in Australia are above a healthy weight, making early childhood a critical intervention period. Rapid weight gain in infancy is associated with a higher risk of overweight and obesity in childhood and adulthood. General practitioners provide important primary care services to children and their families and are in a key position to provide information and coordinate management for children and parents who are above a healthy weight.
Parents are seeking information and support with infant feeding behaviours including breast feeding, formula feeding and introduction of solids.

D1. Communication skills and the patient-doctor relationship

• Communication is clear, respectful, empathic and appropriate to the person and their sociocultural context

D2. Applied professional knowledge and skills

• Continuity of care promotes quality and safety

D3. Population health and the context of general practice

• The patterns and prevalence of disease are incorporated into screening and management practices

D4. Professional and ethical role

D5. Organisational and legal dimensions

• Children and young people health

NSW Ministry of Health