UK still lagging behind on breastfeeding says RCM on new research

By RCM on 07 July 2017 Breastfeeding

Today Cardiff University has published research which found that peer support for breastfeeding mothers is not available in many areas of the UK. Peer support was only available in 56% of NHS Trust/NHS Health Board areas. The research is published in the journal Maternal and Child Nutrition. Commenting on the research Sarah Fox, Professional Policy Advisor at the Royal College of Midwives, said: “The UK still lags often significantly behind many other European countries on breastfeeding rates. This is not good enough.

“The Government should be doing everything it can to encourage and support women to want to initiate breastfeeding, and continue successful breastfeeding for at least 6 months or longer if they wish to. This should include support for women and their babies in the post natal period, and this support needs to include continuity of midwifery care as well as peer support.   This survey suggests that this is still not the case, and this should be addressed urgently as there is a clear need to invest in postnatal services.

 “Investing in services to improve breastfeeding rates will mean healthier babies who will become healthier children and adults. This will ultimately improve the public health of the wider population and also save the NHS money. It is a false economy to not do this.”

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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/.