Advice for new parents from MOH

Industry codes of practice set by the Ministry of Health aim to look after the interests of parents and their babies.

The Code of Practice for the Marketing of Infant Formula (breast milk substitute for babies under six months) means you shouldn’t see any advertising of infant formula in any media (including newspaper, TV, radio and internet), nor should anyone be given any free samples of infant formula.

The Code of Practice for Health Workers ensures parents get accurate and impartial advice about infant feeding from your health worker (midwife, Well Child provider or GP). This advice could relate to formula feeding or breastfeeding mothers.

If you feel these codes of practice are being compromised, inform the Ministry of Health directly. Write to:

Complaints under NZ WHO Code
Population Health Directorate
Ministry of Health
PO Box 5013
Wellington

Or go to www.moh.govt.nz/moh.nsf/indexmh/breastmilksubstitutemarketingcode