Breastfeeding at 6-8 weeks after birth

What this data shows:

Breast milk provides the ideal nutrition for infants in the first stages of life.There is evidence that babies who are breast fed experience lower levels of gastro-intestinal and respiratory infection. Observational studies have shown that breastfeeding is associated with lower levels of child obesity.Benefits to the mother include a faster return to pre-pregnancy weight and possibly lower risk of breast and ovarian cancer (BMA Board of Science, 2009) http://www.derbyshirelmc.org.uk/Guidance/Early%20Life%20Nutrition%20and%20Lifelong%20Health."

How the data is gathered:

This is the percentage of infants that are totally or partially breastfed at age 6-8 weeks. Totally breastfed is defined as infants who are exclusively receiving breast milk at 6-8 weeks of age - that is, they are not receiving formula milk, any other liquids or food. Partially breastfed is defined as infants who are currently receiving breast milk at 6-8 weeks of age and who are also receiving formula milk or any other liquids or food. Not at all breastfed is defined as infants who are not currently receiving any breast milk at 6-8 weeks of age. The numerator is the count of the number of infants recorded as being totally breastfed at 6-8 weeks and the number of infants recorded as being partially breastfed. The denominator is the total number of infants due a 6-8 weeks check.

When the data is shown:

Crude percentage: numerator is divided by denominator and then multiplied by 100. A process of estimation was applied to any local authority data where a return was submitted for only 3 quarters in 2016/17, or DK was submitted for any data item. An estimated numerator for the missing quarter was calculated as an average of the numerators of the other 3 quarters, and the same for an estimated denominator. Where a numerator or denominator has been submitted as 0, no estimation has been performed. An annual numerator and denominator have been calculated based on the estimated numerator and denominator and the known numerators and denominators.

Data Source:

LA, Regional and England data are calculated by NHS England. Public Health England has calculated Shires and additional geographies

Data Period:

Annual Apr-Mar 2016/17

Further Information:

The indicator is based on observation and is therefore susceptible to measurement bias.

The denominator in this indicator implicitly assumes that all infants whose breastfeeding status at 6-8 weeks after birth is unknown and were not breastfeeding. This will result in an underestimate of the percentage infants breastfeeding.