Released on: 18 October 2012

Today the UNICEF report: Preventing disease and saving resources: the potential contribution of increasing breastfeeding rates in the UK was published.

Rosie Dodds, Senior Policy Adviser for NCT, the UK’s largest charity for parents, said:

“We welcome this long-awaited research, which is the first of its kind in the UK.

“NCT supports all parents, however they feed their baby and we support those who want to breastfeed, to do so for as long as they want to. NCT breastfeeding counsellors go through extensive training.  They support mothers to do what the mother wants to do.  We help mums individually in their own homes, in groups, on our helpline and by email. We’ve also trained thousands of NCT peer supporters, who offer friendly help at local groups, such as Baby Cafés, drop-ins and clinics.

“Nine out of 10 mothers who stop breastfeeding in the first six weeks, stop before they wanted to. NCT is committed to improving services and creating a culture which makes continuing to breastfeed a realistic option for a greater number of mothers.

“NCT would like to see the breastfeeding continuation rate increase because that’s what women want. We hope this research will help to make sure that supporting mums to breastfeed as long as they and their babies want becomes a greater priority for governments across the UK.

“For more information about any aspect of feeding, parents can visit the NCT website (www.nct.org.uk) or call our helpline on 0300 330 0700.”

Candy Perry, Healthcare Business Development Director for NCT said:

“NCT has national capability to deliver high quality antenatal and breastfeeding services directly to the NHS. Because of this, we can drive improvements, help local health and social care bodies meet their quality indicators and improve the health and wellbeing of new and expectant parents and their families."

More information anout the research can be found here

 

Courses & workshops

In-person NCT Antenatal course

Find out more

NCT Antenatal refresher course

Find out more
NCT Membership
Support NCT Charity by becoming a member
Excited couple holding pregnancy test
Sign up to our weekly Pregnancy & Baby Guide