Support will be given to help all pregnant women across the UK with breastfeeding, with the availability of this new DVD, From Bump to Breastfeeding - following real mothers' stories to find out how.
In 2005, 78 per cent of mothers began breastfeeding but a third had stopped by six weeks. There are significant social inequalities in infant feeding practices in the UK; 76 per cent of women start to breastfeed, but for mothers under 20 years old, the figure is just 51 per cent and by six weeks, only 14 per cent of mothers under 20 years old are giving their baby breast milk. The World Health Organisation ranks the UK 17th in Europe.
Best Beginnings, a child health charity, came up with the idea and the 35-minute film has been developed in collaboration with the Department of Health. Produced by award-winning filmmaker Jacqueline Smith, the documentary features nine women charting their expectations and concerns as they prepare for motherhood.
The Department of Health recommends exclusive breastfeeding up to the age of six months, with continued breastfeeding, alongside other food and drink after six months.
Breast milk gives babies all the nutrients they need for the first six months of life and helps protect them from infection and diseases, such as gastro-intestinal infections, ear infections, urine infections, eczema and obesity in later childhood.
From Bump to Breastfeeding is available from midwives and www.bestbeginnings.info