§ Mrs. Gillian ShephardTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will support the breastfeeding promotion initiative being developed by the National Childbirth Trust Breastfeeding Promotion Group, La Leche League and the Association of Breastfeeding Mothers.
§ Mrs. CurrieThe Government have been concerned at recent evidence that breastfeeding, which is best for both mother and baby, has become less popular, particularly among poorer women. We warmly welcome the new initiative, which has been actively encouraged by the Department, to form local breastfeeding groups. It is intended to recruit volunteer helpers among mothers and health and education professionals to support and promote breastfeeding, and to explain and promote breastfeeding to young people including through health education in schools.
This is a gratifyingly early response to the key recommendations in "Present day practice in Infant Feeding: Third Report" from the chief medical officer's Committee on Medical Aspects of Food Policy (COMA) which was published in January. The initiative will be launched in detail at a seminar in October, the costs of which are to be underwritten by the Government.
We consider that breastfeeding is very important for the health of future generations. The total estimated funding for the breastfeeding activities of the organisations concerned—the National Childbirth Trust Breastfeeding Promotion Group, La Leche League and the Association of Breastfeeding Mothers, for the next two years is expected to rise to at least £100,000 and will be reviewed in 1990. Further measures in line with the COMA recommendations will be announced shortly.