Breastfeeding up but more support needed

THE NUMBER of new mothers who start breastfeeding is rising.

A UK-wide survey showed eight out of ten newborns were put to the breast at least once, up from six out of ten in 1990.

The data, from the NHS Information Centre, also showed breastfeeding rates remained higher in England than in Scotland, Northern Ireland or Wales, though rates in most areas have increased.

More detailed data on the proportion of women still breastfeeding six weeks later and when their child is about six months old, as recommended by Unicef, will be published next year.

Marianne Monie, chair of the Breastfeeding Network, said: "Most babies in this country start off breastfeeding.

"The last survey from 2005 told us that, sadly, the vast majority of women who stopped breastfeeding in the first six weeks wanted to carry on for longer.

"We want to see women fully supported with skilled help to breastfeed for as long as they want to continue."