We are calling on the Government to create an NHS infant feeding framework based on the same principles of autonomy and choice that govern other aspects of healthcare, and that treats women as individuals capable of making the decisions that are right for them and their families.

At present, NHS delivered infant feeding care is working for no one. Women across the UK are being denied accurate, evidence-based infant feeding information, leaving them feeling poorly equipped for the struggles of breastfeeding, and experiencing guilt and shame when they need to use infant formula, as the majority will go on to do. Healthcare providers are hamstrung, unable to provide optimal, individualised care.

A new framework should include:

1. Provision of honest information about breastfeeding challenges, including pain, supply issues and latch and practical, and timely support to help overcome these.

2. Delivery of balanced advice about formula feeding, recognising it as a legitimate choice many families make for a variety of reasons.

3. Recognition of the importance of women’s mental and physical health and support for individualised feeding choices that work for each family.

4. Communication of the benefits of breastfeeding clearly and with respect for the evidence, and to the standards of risk/benefit communication applied to other areas of healthcare.

5. Presentation of combination feeding as a valid option that can support the continuation of breastfeeding, with practical guidance on how to do it.

A new report by the charity Feed and women's health platform The Lowdown highlights the extent of the problem; 75% of women surveyed felt guilt and shame using infant formula and more than half unprepared for the reality of their infant feeding journeys, with just 5% saying the NHS prepared them “well”.

Only 4% of women said the information they received about infant feeding was completely balanced, fact-based, and presented all feeding options fairly, with one woman reporting being told formula is the equivalent of “greasy fried chicken”!

This is having a detrimental impact on maternal mental health: half of women who tried breastfeeding said the challenges doing so impacted upon how they felt as a mother (49%) or made them feel low or anxious in the postpartum period (48%) Only 6% of women support the current NHS guidance in which formula feeding is only discussed if a woman raises it, but 84% say that all feeding options should be discussed with parents pro-actively. Therefore, it’s time for change.

The Government is currently reviewing the provision of information around infant formula. Now is the chance to make your voice heard and ensure ALL infant feeding options are discussed with women freely and fairly, so they can make the choices that are right for them and their families.

After all, they are the ones who know their own circumstances best.

“No one told me that it might not work, that it might be excruciatingly painful, that I might have bleeding nipples for weeks, that he might not gain weight, that I would never sleep. I ended up with pnd [postnatal depression]. It was horrific. The shame of formula feeding was so awful.”  Amy*, Exclusive Breastfeeding then Exclusive Formula Feeding, Wales

“Our biggest challenge was a severe tongue tie. The midwives could see it as it was so severe but the first nhs appointment to cut it was 5 weeks away… The latch issue lead to multiple mastitis episodes on the first two weeks that required antibiotics. All could have been avoided with instant diagnosis and procedure.”  Emily*, Exclusive Breastfeeding, England

“We were explicitly told by the midwife that under the NHS they cannot promote formula-feeding or discuss it with [you]...I felt extreme shame for having to bottle feed my 2nd child, so much so that I couldn't do it for the first couple of days, my husband had to feed her when we started formula feeding, as I would cry uncontrollably and couldn't even face watching as I was so ashamed.” Esme*, Combination Feeding, England

  “When I raised concerns about my breastfeeding journey, I was told blandly to “just keep trying”. I ended up hiring a private lactation consultant but it was too late. More unbiased information is needed on formula feeding. It is a lifeline for some babies and it is incredibly hard to accept when your feeding journey doesn’t go the way you planned. The scaremongering and demonisation of formula deeply impacted my mental health.” Rhona*, Combination Feeding, Scotland

“They told us all about breastfeeding but when I asked about formula feeding and combi feeding I was told they weren't allowed to tell us anything about it.”  Laura*, Combination Feeding, England

“There is no doubt in my mind that we were set up to fail. We were told to breastfeed - made to think this was the only thing an educated person would do, but when it came to help with breastfeeding, they all just shrugged and said - we don't know how to help you.” Dora*, Exclusive Breastfeeding then Exclusive Formula Feeding, Scotland

“a lactation consultant told me that feeding my son formula was like feeding him a greasy fried chicken dinner, and that feeding him breastmilk was like feeding him a nutritious salad. It made me feel so much shame, and pushed me to attempt to breastfeed far longer than was optimal for mine and my baby’s health.” Imogen*, Breastfeeding, Expressing and Formula Feeding.