Lanarkshire is celebrating a major milestone after achieving the highest breastfeeding figures recorded, reflecting sustained progress across services, communities and partners.
The data was revealed in the latest Infant Feeding Statistics (2024/25), published by Public Health Scotland, which show significant improvements across every stage of the breastfeeding pathway.
Fewer families are stopping breastfeeding in the early weeks, with a big improvement compared to previous years and well ahead of the national target.
Breastfeeding has a significant impact on the health of both mothers and babies in the short, medium and longer term. Mothers and babies are benefiting from the health impact of breastfeeding with more babies being breastfed for longer.
Susan Short, Maternal and Infant Nutrition Lead for NHS Lanarkshire said: “We are absolutely delighted with these results. To see such consistent improvement across every stage of the breastfeeding journey, and to exceed our national target to increase breastfeeding continuation, is a testament to the dedication of staff right across Lanarkshire and the incredible support shown by our local communities to ensure mothers have the support they need to breastfeed.
“We know that not everyone can or wants to breastfeed, but everyone has a role to play in supporting breastfeeding.
“Every midwife, health visitor, family nurse, nurse, maternity support worker, health care support worker, nursery nurse, breastfeeding support assistant, health improvement locality team, volunteer, community group, business and partner organisation has played a part in supporting families and building a culture where breastfeeding is better understood, encouraged and protected.
“The work in early years and schools builds a community where breastfeeding is becoming normalised. These improvements are particularly meaningful given the wider challenges around births and social determinants of health.
“Supporting breastfeeding remains one of our most important priorities for improving health outcomes and reducing inequalities for families across Lanarkshire.”
The latest figures show strong improvement across all key stages of the breastfeeding pathway.”
Breastfeeding initiation across Lanarkshire has risen to 56.7%, an increase of 2.5 percentage points on last year and nearly nine points since 2016/17. South Lanarkshire reached 60.2%, while North Lanarkshire recorded 53.3%.
At the Health Visitor first visit, 47.8% of babies were receiving any breastfeeding, up 3.7 points from last year and more than 15 points over the longer term.
Meanwhile, breastfeeding rates at 6–8 weeks have increased to 38.3%, representing almost a five-point rise since last year and a 12.5-point improvement since 2016/17.
These achievements reflect years of sustained partnership working across services and communities and a commitment to support breastfeeding. Recent milestones include NHS Lanarkshire achieving the Unicef Baby Friendly Gold Award for acute and community services, and Carnwath being recognised as Lanarkshire’s first accredited Breastfeeding Friendly Town.
More than 900 businesses and organisations have joined the Breastfeeding Friendly Scotland scheme, helping to make breastfeeding a normal and welcome part of everyday life. Community support has also grown, from volunteer-made teaching resources to early years settings promoting positive messages from the very start.
Together, these efforts are creating a culture where families feel informed, supported and confident.
Claire Rae, Chief Officer, University Health and Social Care North Lanarkshire, said: “These results are hugely encouraging and reflect the commitment of teams across North Lanarkshire to giving every baby the best possible start in life. We are delighted to be the first Local Authority in Scotland to achieve the Breastfeeding Friendly Local Authority Gold Award.
“The progress we’re seeing isn’t just the result of clinical services – it’s the product of community-wide support. With hundreds of local businesses and organisations now part of the Breastfeeding Friendly Scotland scheme, families are surrounded by places where they know they are welcome. That kind of environment makes a real difference to parents’ confidence and their ability to continue breastfeeding.
“This progress shows what can be achieved when services, partners and our communities work together with families at the heart of everything we do. I want to thank all staff, volunteers and local organisations for the compassion and commitment they show every day.”
Professor Soumen Sengupta, Chief Officer, South Lanarkshire University Health and Social Care Partnership, said: “This is outstanding progress for South Lanarkshire and genuinely something to be proud of. The improvements in breastfeeding rates and the increasing number of families continuing to breastfeed demonstrate a whole-system effort, grounded in evidence and delivered with real passion for improving outcomes.
“The recognition of Carnwath as Lanarkshire’s first accredited Breastfeeding Friendly Town highlights how deeply this work is rooted in our communities, with local businesses, partners and organisations all playing their part in creating welcoming environments for families.
“Our staff, partner organisations, and the families we support have all contributed to this achievement. We will continue to build on this momentum to ensure children across South Lanarkshire have the very best start.”
Local data indicates that this positive trajectory has continued into the current year (2025/26).
