Figures show less than a third of Ballarat babies are still being breastfed at 10 months of age while the city is close to the worst in Victoria when it comes to the numbers of six-month-olds still on the boob.

The statistics have prompted breastfeeding advocates to launch Ballarat's breastfeeding charter, designed to push city business, organisations and workplaces along the path of becoming more friendly to nursing mums with a range of simple options, such as window stickers or staff briefings. The charter was launched by Member for Western Region Jaala Pulford yesterday, with the politician telling of her own breastfeeding experiences before emphasising the importance of the Ballarat plan.

"Only three in 10 Ballarat babies are still breastfed at 10 months and breastfeeding at discharge, two weeks, three months and six months rank below Grampians region averages as well as both rural and metro averages," she said.

"We certainly need to be doing better than this and this project and launch today will help us to improve our rankings on that table."

Businesses wanting to sign up to the charter can contact Best Start's promoting breastfeeding officer Michelle Ainley on 5320 5676 or visit www.ballarat.vic.gov.au and visit the charter link.