Breastfeeding hit by wealth divide

Published on Tuesday 12 May 2009 10:41

MORE mothers are breastfeeding in the Lothians than at any other time in the last decade – but the gap between rich and poor is growing.

New figures show the number of breastfeeding mothers has risen to around 60 per cent, which makes the Lothians the best performing mainland health board in the field.

However, it is the health-aware mums of Morningside and Stockbridge who are dragging the statistics up, and in areas such as Wester Hailes and Muirhouse, fewer than a fifth breastfeed.

Localised statistics obtained by the Evening News show that in the Clovenstone and Dumbryden areas, only 14 per cent of babies are breastfed, while in Craigmillar the number is less than one percentage point better.

This compares to the 80 per cent in Marchmont, 72 per cent in Morningside and 68 per cent in Comely Bank.

NHS Lothian has a number of initiatives to encourage women – particularly those giving birth for the first time – to consider breastfeeding, which has resulted in an improvement since 2001, when only about 54 per cent were breastfed citywide.

Director of public health and health policy, Dr Alison McCallum, said: "These figures show that over 60 per cent of mothers in Lothian breastfeed their babies in the crucial first few days of life, the highest figure in mainland Scotland. The Lothian position compares favourably to the Scottish average of 45 per cent.

"While breastfeeding levels are higher than average in Lothian, we are supporting women to make breastfeeding the first choice of nutrition for their newborns.

"Some women might not know other women who have breastfed, but we do. We have both experts and people from all sorts of backgrounds who are willing to help mums make breastfeeding work for them and their babies.

"It's crucial women and their partners are not afraid to ask for help and support."

The benefits of breastfeeding infants is clear. Numerous studies have shown it helps the bond between mother and baby develop, and helps reduce the risk of infections, diabetes, asthma and obesity in later life.

A series of initiatives are taking place this week to mark Breastfeeding Awareness Week, including daily question and answer sessions at the ERI and health promotion stalls across the city.

Labour's health spokeswoman, Cllr Lesley Hinds, said: "NHS Lothian does a lot to try and target mothers in these areas.

"I don't think it is just a class thing. Perhaps if more work was done at community level, I sometimes feel (national) advertising is encouraging those who would already breastfeed.

"But this is why statistics like this are useful."