Scots mums face breastfeeding barriers
SCOTLAND must improve its record on breastfeeding, according to top physicians.
Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health president Professor Neena Modi said Governments in the UK must remove barriers to breastfeeding.
The UK’s record is below most European countries and of the four home nations, Scotland’s record is the poorest. About 40 per cent of babies are breastfeeding at six to eight weeks but in Scotland that drops to 38.9 per cent.
The RCPCH believe breastfeeding support for working mothers, lessons in schools and a change in society’s attitudes could help women breastfeed longer and radically improve child health.
They also pointed to Unicef research which says even moderate increases in breastfeeding could save the NHS up to £40million a year through fewer GP consultations and hospital admissions.
Modi said: “World Breastfeeding Week is 25 years old but the UK has little to celebrate in terms of its record. The attitudes of a large part of society mean breastfeeding is not always encouraged.
“For many mothers, there are too many barriers.
Labour’s equalities spokeswoman Monica Lennon said: “The baby box scheme is an opportunity to provide breastfeeding support. I’ve asked the Scottish Government to consider making items available to mums that will help them start or continue breastfeeding.”
Public health minister Aileen Campbell said: “We support efforts to make it easier for women to breastfeed by offering the help and support they need to enable them to do so.”