§ Mr. Laurence RobertsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the health effects of feeding babies breastmilk substitutes; and if he will make a statement. [176766]
§ Miss Melanie Johnson[holding answer 7 June 2004]: The Department has not made any assessment of the health effects of feeding babies breastmilk substitutes.
The Department recommends breastfeeding as the best form of nutrition for infants as it provides all the nutrients a baby needs for the first six months of life and has positive health benefits for both mother and baby in the short and longer term. Breastfed infants are five times less likely to be admitted to hospital with infections such as gastro-enteritis in the first year of life and may be less likely to become obese in later childhood. Breastfeeding is also advantageous for maternal health. Longer-term breastfeeding helps mothers to return to their pre-pregnancy weight and there is a reduced incidence of pre-menopausal breast, ovarian and endometrial cancers.