NHS Lanarkshire is joining the celebrations during Scottish Breastfeeding Week (13-19 June) as breastfeeding rates in the region rise.
While Lanarkshire’s breastfeeding rates remain lower than the Scottish average, the longer term breastfeeding rates across the region are improving. The number of mothers who breastfeed at birth has been sitting at 48-50% for the last five years, but the number of mothers who continue to breastfeed after 6-8 weeks has risen from 25.8% in 2016 to 31.2% in 2021.
Scottish Breastfeeding Week aims to celebrate the work being done to support, protect and promote breastfeeding in Scotland.
There are a number of reasons mothers choose not to breastfeed or stop before they had planned. Often this can be a lack of support or understanding of how breastfeeding works from their partner, family or friends, or some women can feel uncomfortable breastfeeding outside their home.
Babies are protected by law in Scotland to be fed anywhere that children are allowed, and it is an offence to prevent a baby being fed in a public place. To support this, the Breastfeeding Friendly Scotland (BFS) Scheme is a national scheme recognising venues and organisations that create an environment where breastfeeding is welcomed and protected.
Wherever families see the “Breastfeeding Friendly Scotland” logo and signage, they know that staff are aware of their obligation under the law, and they can be assured of an extra warm welcome. Membership of the scheme demonstrates a business understands and accommodates the needs of breastfeeding families.
AnneMarie Bruce, Infant Feeding Development Midwife at NHS Lanarkshire, said: “NHS Lanarkshire encourages responsive parenting and feeding, so our primary focus is to ensure that parents and babies have the support they need, regardless of how they feed.
“But we know that the feeding journey of many mothers is not what they had originally planned. UNICEF Baby Friendly found that 80 percent of women stopped breastfeeding before they wanted to. Breastfeeding can be challenging but with good support, these challenges can be overcome, and we want to raise awareness of the support that is available. By normalising breastfeeding, creating a supportive culture, and promoting safe environments for breastfeeding outside the home through the BFS Scheme, we hope that more women will feel comfortable and will continue to breastfeed for as long as they want.”
People in Lanarkshire looking for breastfeeding support can contact the infant feeding team on 01698 366710. More information can also be found at https://www.nhslanarkshire.scot.nhs.uk/services/infantfeeding/ or on the Facebook group NHS Lanarkshire Mums & Babies.
Businesses interested in joining the BFS Scheme can receive more information by contacting BreastfeedingFriendlyScotlandLanarkshire@lanarkshire.scot.nhs.uk.
