Mark Hendrick – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Women and Equalities

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Mark Hendrick on 2016-09-06.

To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, what activities (a) she and (b) officials of the Government Equalities Office have undertaken to promote breastfeeding during World Breastfeeding Week 2016.

Caroline Dinenage

The Government Equalities Office fully supports the work of the Department of Health, which leads Government work to promote breastfeeding.

• The Department of Health encourages exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life because of the health benefits to mothers and babies. We recognise that infant feeding choices are complex and based on individual and family circumstances and that not all mothers choose to or are able to breastfeed.
• The Government is committed to supporting breastfeeding through the Healthy Child Programme. Breastfeeding is also included in the Public Health Outcomes Framework so that the improvements can be tracked, and action taken as needed.
• Support and information is currently available to health professionals and parents through NHS Choices, the National Breastfeeding Helpline, UNICEF UK Baby Friendly Initiative and local peer support programmes.