About

The World Breastfeeding Trends initiative (WBTi) Assessment tool was launched by the International Baby Food Action Network (IBFAN) in 2004. It was devised as a simpler way for nations to measure how effectively they are implementing the Global Strategy for Infant and Young Child Feeding.  As of May 2021,  97 countries have completed the WBTi report. These reports can be found here.

In 2018 Australia joined the process with its first report. The WBTi process and it’s outcomes are:-

• it is participatory – it involves stakeholders while avoiding conflicts of interest, governments, and NGOs. Participants gain networking skills, investigative techniques, and reporting methods.
• it is action-oriented – the goal of the WBTi process is to stimulate action rather than just collecting information. The information gathered can be used as a tool for change to improve situations.
• it is simple research – with the aim to stimulate research, and ask questions. It leads to comprehensive analysis to advocate for change.

The process in Australia was conducted by a core group of 10 people, and three organisations – the Lactation Consultants of Australia and New Zealand (LCANZ), Breastfeeding Advocacy Australia and the Australian Breastfeeding Association. The core group is supported by a reference group which includes many individuals along with the Breastfeeding Coalition of Tasmania, and the South East Qld Breastfeeding Coalition (at the time, however this group no longer exists). We are always happy to welcome other organisations (who are free from conflicts of interest) to our reference group.

WBTi Australia was established at a workshop at Australian National University in September 2017, supported by funding from the ANU Gender Institute and the College of Asia and the Pacific.

Please follow our blog to learn more as work our way through the 15 Indicators, and maybe even jump over and ‘like’ our Facebook page or follow us on Twitter @WBTi_AUS.

If you have any questions, please use the comments section or email Naomi on wbtiaus@gmail.com

Photo courtesy of Sally Robinson ♥

Naomi Hull RN, IBCLC, MPH (Nutrition)

Country Coordinator, Australia

Naomi is an RN and IBCLC based in Brisbane and has been a volunteer Breastfeeding Counsellor with ABA since 2006. Naomi has a Masters of Public Health (Nutrition) from the University of Queensland (2017).

During her Masters of Public Health, her interest in the ‘bigger picture’ grew stronger and for this reason chose to look at the implementation of the Australian National Breastfeeding Strategy (2010-2015). Naomi continues to feel strongly about finding a way to improve the breastfeeding experience for families by way of affecting policy change in Australia. She is excited to be leading the WBTi team in Australia and contributing tot he global conversation.