Breastfeeding in Scotland--statistical sources

The health benefits of breastfeeding for babies and mothers are increasingly recognised. In Scotland, a national breastfeeding target has been set and national policies commend the promotion and support of breastfeeding. In order to set realistic local breastfeeding targets, and to evaluate success in increasing the initiation and duration of breastfeeding, Health Boards need accurate local data on breastfeeding rates.

To examine existing Scottish sources of routinely collected data on infant feeding intention and practice, and to make recommendations for the future collection, dissemination and quality of such data.

Information on Scottish infant feeding data was collected from published sources and from personnel responsible for infant feeding data within larger infant and child health data sets. Data for Glasgow were analysed for completeness.

Four major sources of routinely collected data exist, one of which provides national figures only. The other three collect local data on feeding intention and practice at a variety of stages from pregnancy to baby's age 8/9 months. Whilst some data are available locally, there is no routine dissemination of data at all stages throughout Scotland. The quality and completeness of data require further investigation.

Attention should be given to developing the use of existing routinely collected sources of data to provide regular, reliable information on local breastfeeding rates to assist the monitoring and implementation of local breastfeeding strategies. A small group of health professionals, health information staff and researchers should be convened by ISD to pursue this task.