Australian Breastfeeding Association (ABA): Breastfeeding Helpline

About the Australian Breastfeeding Association
Vision, Mission and Values
Programs and Services
Contact Details

About the Australian Breastfeeding Association

The Australian Breastfeeding Association (ABA) is a voluntary organisation founded in 1964 to encourage and support mothers who would like to breastfeed their babies, while creating in the community an awareness of the importance of human milk.

Vision, Mission and Values

Vision

As the normal way to feed and nurture infants, for babies to breastfeed exclusively for 6 months, with continuing breastfeeding for 2 years and beyond.

Mission

As Australia’s leading authority on breastfeeding, to:

Educate society and support mothers, using up-to-date research findings and the practical experiences of many women;
Influence society to acknowledge breastfeeding as normal and important to skilled and loving parenting.

Values

Mother-to-mother support;
Skilled and loving parenting (in society);
Excellence and innovation in breastfeeding support;
The wellbeing and diversity of our people;
Cooperation and teamwork;
Honest, open and respectful communication;
Clear and transparent processes.

Programs and Services

Breastfeeding Helpline

The ABA runs a 24-hour Breastfeeding Helpline 1800 mum 2 mum (1800 686 268). Volunteer breastfeeding counsellors answer calls on a roster system, with more than 75,000 calls being taken each year. A volunteer breastfeeding counsellor is a mother who has breastfed her own child(ren) and has completed a Certificate IV in Breastfeeding Education (or equivalent) through the ABA.

The service provided by the Breastfeeding Helpline can support mothers experiencing difficulty and offer information and suggestions so mothers can make informed choices. The Breastfeeding Helpline is supported by funding from the Australian Government and is toll-free from landlines.