Question reference: S5W-04078
- Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
- Date lodged: 27 October 2016
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Current status: Answered by Aileen Campbell on 10 November 2016
Question
To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the Information Services Division (ISD) Scotland report, Breastfeeding Statistics Scotland, Financial Year 2015/16, which suggests that breastfeeding rates have remained mostly static over the last decade and can vary because of deprivation, geographical location and maternal age.
Answer
The Scottish Government continues to be committed to supporting breastfeeding. Across Scotland the proportion of babies being breastfed at their first visit has increased over the last 10 years (44.1% - 49.3%). Twenty four local authorities had increases in breastfeeding rates at 6-8 weeks, from the previous year.
The increase in overall breastfeeding rates and in the most deprived areas is mainly due to an increase in the percentage of mothers who breast and formula fed rather than exclusively breastfed. The rates varied across Scotland and were lower in more deprived areas and amongst younger mothers.