§ Dr. FoxTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps the Government are taking to promote breast-feeding. [24446]
§ Yvette CooperWe take very seriously our responsibility to protect infant health in the United Kingdom, and support the promotion of breast-feeding. It is important that women and their partners are able to make a fully informed choice on how to feed their babies based on accurate and consistent information. This means that women should have access to information about all infant feeding practices through the relevant health care professional.
The Infant Feeding Initiative was established in May 1999 with the aim to increase the incidence and duration of breast-feeding among those groups of the population where breast-feeding rates are the lowest, as well as to 772W help all women to make informed choices about how they feed their infant. Breast-feeding rates are low in lower socio-economic groups. A total budget of nearly £3 million over three years from Public Health Development Fund has been allocated for this initiative and reflects our commitment to tackle health inequalities that was highlighted by the Acheson report.
It included the appointment of two part-time National Infant Feeding Advisers and funding of 79 "best practice" projects to date to enable effective communication and evaluation of current good practice, to address the barriers to breast-feeding, and thereby lead to improved breast-feeding rates among those least likely to breast-feed. This has resulted in joint working efforts between health professionals and voluntary organisations. Sure start initiatives also support local projects on breast-feeding.
Other departmental activity includes support for an annual National Breastfeeding Awareness Week, support to four main voluntary organisations involved in the promotion of breast-feeding, research into breast-feeding through quinquennial surveys of infant feeding practices, and maintaining close links with UNICEF's Baby Friendly Initiative.
The forthcoming Children's National Service Framework will address maternity services that can help to give all children a good start in life to grow into healthy adults.