§ John McDonnellTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will estimate the proportion of mothers who breastfeed their babies; and how this has changed in the last five years. [68037]
§ Ms BlearsThere has been an increase in the proportion of women who initiated breastfeeding between 1995 and 2000. The results of the infant feeding survey 2000 showed that 71 per cent. of the mothers in England and Wales initiated breastfeeding compared to 68 per cent. in 1995. The increase in England and Wales was particularly marked in low-income households, where the proportion of women who initiated breastfeeding increased from 50 per cent. to 59 per cent. between 1995 and 2000.
§ John McDonnellTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what support the Government provides to assist in the promotion of breastfeeding. [68038]
§ Ms BlearsThe Government are fully committed to the promotion of breastfeeding, which is accepted as the best form of nutrition for infants. We currently have a commitment in the NHS Plan for "increased support for breastfeeding" and have identified a number of key projects. They include
the development and dissemination of the evidence base on good practice through Best Practice' projects funded under the infant feeding initiative with funding of £3 million for three years. A total of 79 'Best Practice' projects have been funded across all 415W regions. These projects were funded to enable effective communication and evaluation of current good practice, to address the barriers to breastfeeding, and thereby lead to improved breastfeeding rates among those least likely to breastfeed. This is a goal shared by all Sure Start initiatives and several health action zone programmes.embedding messages into national health service practice and other policies through the national breastfeeding awareness week and national network of breastfeeding co-ordinators.ensuring effective monitoring of infant feeding practices through quinquennial infant feeding surveys.Other related departmental activities include support for four main voluntary organisations involved in the promotion of breastfeeding and maintaining close links with UNICEF's baby friendly initiative.This work will be developed in the context of the forthcoming children's national service framework and will include maternity services that allow children to start their lives well and grow into healthy adults.