Funding for breastfeeding support in Scotland has recently been cut by 25% at a time when families need it more than ever.

This has resulted in the closure of breastfeeding support groups across Scotland and the loss of highly skilled breastfeeding support volunteers in NHS hospitals.

We know that Scotland has some of the lowest breastfeeding rates in the world. We also know that roughly 80% of mothers end their breastfeeding journey before they would like to due to a lack of support. NHS staff are often time constrained and resource restricted to offer vulnerable mothers this support when they need it most. Breastfeeding groups and ward volunteers have been critical in supporting mothers to continue their breastfeeding journey when they often wouldn’t have been able to otherwise. 

Breastfeeding helps reduce infant admission to hospital for common infections and reduces lifetime risk of diabetes, obesity and cardiovascular disease. It helps protect the mother against postnatal depression and breast and ovarian cancer. These are all issues that dominate Scotland’s NHS, that is already at breaking point. These are also conditions that are more prevalent within lower income areas, but unfortunately breastfeeding rates are very low. We cannot afford rates to decrease further across Scotland. 

In advance of Scottish Breastfeeding Week 2025 and the 20th anniversary of the Breastfeeding Act (2005), we urge the Scottish Government to reverse these cuts and make breastfeeding support a priority across Scotland. 

EDIT 11/06/25:

Some good news - work is now underway for the Breastfeeding Network to take on some local groups that were planned to close in Glasgow area. However, due to cuts there are still no volunteers on the wards at a time it is needed more than ever. 

Also, please see below article for more information:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cdxv50w7ze4o