Written question WQ96642

The All-Wales Breastfeeding Action Plan, launched in 2019, identified strategic goals and actions for the immediate support for women and families for breastfeeding, together with wider actions to support continued feeding for those mothers who are working and for the wider population health, so breastfeeding is an accepted, supported option.

As a result, there are infant feeding leads in all health boards who co-ordinate the support provided to breastfeeding mothers and support delivery of the plan. All neonatal nurses, maternity support workers and midwives play a vital role in supporting mothers to breastfeed.

As part of the Flying Start annual statistical bulletin, breastfeeding rates (% of babies fed any breastmilk) at 10 days old for Flying Start and non-Flying Start areas by local authority for 2014 to 2023 is published at: Babies born to mothers living in Flying Start and non-Flying Start areas who received any breast milk at 10 days old, by local authority

The percentage of children living in Flying Start areas breastfed at 10 days has increased to the highest level on record but remains lower than the percentage of children breastfed in non-Flying Start areas.

In February, we published our Quality Statement for Maternity and Neonatal services, which sets out the outcomes and standards pregnant women, mothers-to-be and their families can expect to receive when accessing care. This includes the provision of practical support, information and guidance for breastfeeding women in both the neonatal and maternity setting.

The Welsh Government has commissioned Public Health Wales to develop recommendations to inform a new infant feeding action plan for Wales, which will follow on from All-Wales Breastfeeding Action Plan.