New strategy to promote breastfeeding:Hunt

The Morrison government wants to double the amount of Australian babies that are breastfed and has launched a new $10 million strategy to make it happen.

The Australian National Breastfeeding Strategy, endorsed by all states and territories through the COAG Health Council, aims to improve the health and wellbeing of infants, young children, mothers and families.

Approximately 25 per cent of babies are breastfed to around six months in Australia.

This new strategy aims to at least double this by 2025, in line with the World Health Organisation's target.

"Our government is strongly committed to increasing breastfeeding around the country. All the evidence tells us that it is better for babies - and better for mums," federal Health Minister Greg Hunt said in a statement on Saturday.

The strategy promotes breastfeeding as the normal biological way to feed an infant, including through community education and awareness campaigns.

These campaigns will aim to ensure work and other places are breastfeeding-friendly.

The Australian Breastfeeding Association will receive $8.29 million to support their work, in providing guidance and advice through the ABA Helpline and related work.

In addition, the government is providing $2 million this year to the Australian Red Cross Blood Service, to increase access to donor human milk for premature babies through a centralised donor milk bank service.