4810.0.55.001 - Breastfeeding in Australia, 2001  
ARCHIVED ISSUE Released at 11:30 AM (CANBERRA TIME) 17/09/2003   
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    Glossary of Terms

    Breastfeeding

    The child receives some breastmilk, but can also receive any food or other liquid including non-human milk.

    Breastfeeding Duration

    The total length of time an infant received any breastmilk at all, from initiation until weaning is complete.

    Cessation

    The infant/child no longer receives any breastmilk.

    Complementary Breastfeeding

    The child is receiving both breastmilk and solid or semi-solid food (the World Health Organization's classification of complementary breastfeeding).

    Continuation

    The continuation of breastfeeding past the age of 12 months.

    Ever breastfed

    Infants who have been put to the breast, if only once, and includes infants who have received expressed breastmilk in a bottle but have never been put to the breast.

    Exclusive Breastfeeding

    Classification adopted by the World Health Organization referring to infant feeding practices that consist only of breastmilk, but may also include the consumption of vitamins, minerals, drops, syrups and medicines).

    Fully breastfed

    Receiving only breast milk on a regular basis.

    Intensity

    The amount an infant is breastfed in relation to other nutrients consumed other than breastmilk.

    Introduced

    When first started taking the food on a regular basis (as opposed to when first offered).

    Initiation

    The infant's first intake of breastmilk.

    Milk Substitutes

    Including infant formula, cow's milk, soya bean milk/soy milk, goat's milk, evaporated milk (or other milk substitutes).

    Partial Breastfeeding

    The infant's source of nourishment is breastmilk, but the infant may also regularly receive other food-based fluids such as non-human milk, milk substitutes (cows milk, soya milk etc.) and/or infant formula.

    Predominant Breastfeeding

    Classification adopted by the World Health Organization referring to infant feeding that includes the consumption of breastmilk and other liquids (i.e. juice; water) with the exception of non-human milks or food-based fluids.

    Regular Consumption

    Not defined as a specific consumption pattern (e.g. daily), however infers to the stage where sources of nutrients become a routine and recurring part of an infants diet.

    Solid foods

    Any nutrient containing foods (semi solid or solid) e.g. infant cereals. Does not include breastmilk or breastmilk substitutes, non-human milk, fruit and vegetable juices, sugar, water etc.

    Weaning

    The period during which infants are introduced to breastmilk substitutes and/or solid foods with the intention of ceasing breastfeeding.

    Weaned

    The infant/child no longer receives any breastmilk.