World Breastfeeding Week runs from 1st-7th August. This year, World Breastfeeding Week is focusing on how breastfeeding contributes to the survival, health and wellbeing of all, and the imperative to protect breastfeeding worldwide.
Breastfeeding initiation rates in the UK are one of the lowest in Europe with 48% of babies breastfed at 6-8 weeks after birth according to figures released by Public Health England. There are many factors that influence this but people from black and minority ethnic groups and/or living in deprived areas are much less likely to breastfeed.
Targeted support for breastfeeding is needed with a multidisciplinary approach to ensure that those that would like to breastfeed can ensure that they get the support they need to start and continue breastfeeding.
