A new report published by Public Health Scotland has highlighted significant improvements in breastfeeding rates across North Ayrshire, with data showing the highest rates of breastfeeding in the area since the annual Pre-School Child Health Surveillance data launched nationally in 2002/3.
The figures published this year show that the number of babies being exclusively breastfed in North Ayrshire in the first 10 to 14 days had increased by 7.3 per cent – from 23.2 per cent in 2022/23 to 30.5 per cent in 2023/24.
A 5.3 per cent rise was also recorded in the number of babies being breastfed at 6 to 8 weeks, increasing to 25.6 per cent in 2023/24 from 20.3 per cent in 2022/23.
Additionally, the report reveals that the number of babies receiving some breastmilk (mixed feeding with breastmilk and infant formula) has also grown over the past year – from 41 per cent to 44.9 per cent at 10 to 14 days, and from 31.7 per cent to 35.3 per cent at 6 to 8 weeks. This follows on from a positive increase the previous year.
The benefits of breastfeeding on the short and long-term health of mothers and babies have been well documented. It promotes optimum nutrition, growth and development for babies, as well as providing comfort and protection from infections.
As such, breastfeeding is actively promoted and supported in a wide range of settings across North Ayrshire and Arran.
North Ayrshire Health and Social Care Partnership’s Children and Families Health Team has prioritised investment in infant feeding support through local health visiting teams, as well expanding the Scottish Government’s Breastfeeding Friendly Scotland (BFS) scheme in North Ayrshire and providing additional specialist support for families with more complex feeding issues via the Community Infant Feeding Team.
An investment was also made by NAHSCP to a pan-Ayrshire antenatal and peer support programme, currently provided by the Breastfeeding Network.
Councillor Margaret Johnson, Cabinet Member for Health and Social Care at North Ayrshire Council, said: “To go from a decrease in the number of babies being exclusively breastfed in 2022/23 to seeing our highest ever levels since recording began over the past year is a testament to the hard work and dedication of a wide range of health and social care teams across North Ayrshire.
“Despite these welcome figures, we will continue to work in collaboration with our partners to maintain and further improve breastfeeding rates as we move forwards.”
NAHSCP is committed to supporting families to make the right choices for their baby.
If you require any support with infant feeding, please speak to your Health Visitor or Family Nurse.
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