More investment needed to support breastfeeding says RCM

By RCM on 02 August 2017 Breastfeeding World Breastfeeding Week

The World Health Organization and UNICEF have published a report which says that no country in the world fully meets recommended standards for breastfeeding. The report comes at the start of World Breastfeeding Week 2017. Commenting on the report, Clare Livingstone, Clare Livingstone, Public Health Advisor at the Royal College of Midwives, said: “There is no doubt that the UK -  along with many other countries - needs to improve its breastfeeding rates.

“Investment in specialist midwives and high quality postnatal support for breastfeeding must be a public health priority. Research by the RCM and Netmums in 2014 showed that that many women do not get the support they need postnatally, and midwives also said they were not able to give the level of they support they wanted to.* Just a few weeks ago research showed the lack of peer support for breastfeeding in many of our NHS trusts and boards.**

“By increasing breastfeeding rates we will improve the future health of the nation in so many ways. Preventing ill health is best value for NHS money - so why are we not investing more in it?”

To contact the RCM Press Office call 020 7312 3456, or email pressofficer@rcm.org.uk. 

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Notes to editors

*See the RCM’s Infant Feeding Report published in 2014 as part of its ‘Pressure Points’ postnatal campaign

**See a study by Cardiff University on peer support for breastfeeding mothers at  https://www.cardiff.ac.uk/news/view/804840-lack-of-peer-support-for-breastfeeding-mums

The RCM is the only trade union and professional association dedicated to serving midwifery and the whole midwifery team. We provide workplace advice and support, professional and clinical guidance and information, and learning opportunities with our broad range of events, conferences and online resources. For more information visit the RCM website at https://www.rcm.org.uk/.