This is not a petition arguing 'breast is best'. This is a petition to say informed is best. 

Currently on the curriculum for GCSE Child Development, students are taught how to sterilise and make a bottle of formula for a newborn baby, yet the subject of breastfeeding is minimal. In PSHE, breastfeeding and responsive parenting is not even discussed - despite its importance in the development of the child, maternal health and positive relationship building. 

Virtually all mothers can breastfeed, and the starting rates are improving - but within weeks these have dropped dramatically, with women not having the confidence to continue due to fears of 'baby not getting enough' or being in pain with wrong positioning and attachment - all of which can be calmed by numerous professionals and volunteer services. The UK has some of the lowest breastfeeding rates in the world. Reports show that many of these mothers regret their decision to stop, and wish they had sought the help and correct information to continue. Currently the World Health Organisation (WHO) state that breastfeeding a baby for two years has lasting health benefits into adulthood. 

Wouldn't it be great if the younger generation had a knowledge from the start of the breastfeeding basics, the health benefits for both baby and Mother, the socio-environment impact of formula - and making something perfectly natural, normal in society again. The benefits of reducing respiratory infections, diabetes and even obesity in children, or breast cancer and ovarian cancer in nursing mothers. With our NHS suffering surely we should be promoting something our bodies offer for free to help our resources - a saving as high as £50million each year.

In Western society, we are fortunate to have formula and this petition is by no means here to try and stop its existence. It allows mothers who are physically or mentally unable to breastfeed a means of nourishing their child, when used correctly in a responsive and positive environment. However - surely it is wrong that children and young adults are learning this as the norm, instead of what their bodies have been designed to do?

In a recent study in Scotland, breastfeeding was bought into education, along with a national infant feeding strategy and there was a big rise in mothers still breastfeeding at six months. Scotland will now be bringing the topic into the curriculum.

This petition is designed to build the knowledge of the younger generation, and give them a sound platform for when they become parents themselves.