Breastfeeding in the UK

In the UK we have some of the lowest breastfeeding rates in the world, with more than six out of ten women stopping breastfeeding before they want to. The evidence is clear that when women are supported, they are more likely to breastfeed for longer, with lifelong benefits for both mother and child. 

The last UK-wide Infant Feeding Survey was conducted in 2010. We continue to call on all four UK governments to reinstate a UK-wide survey, so that families, health professionals and policymakers across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have access to consistent, comparable data. While England is publishing its own national Infant Feeding Survey in June 2026 – the first since 2010 – this covers one nation only and does not replace the need for a survey that reflects the full picture across the UK. Key findings from the 2010 UK-wide survey were: 

• Breastfeeding initiation: 81% (up from 76% in 2005) 
• Exclusive breastfeeding at six weeks: 24% in England, 17% in Wales and 13% in Northern Ireland 
• Exclusive breastfeeding at three months: 17% (up from 13% in 2005) 
• Exclusive breastfeeding at four months: 12% (up from 7% in 2005) 
• Exclusive breastfeeding at six months, as recommended by the World Health Organization, remained at around 1% 
• Any breastfeeding at six weeks: 55% (up from 48% in 2005); at six months: 34% (up from 25% in 2005) 

Since 2010, individual nations have developed their own data collection and publication systems. Breastfeeding rates across all four UK nations have improved over that period, and the most recently available data shows record or near-record highs in Scotland, Wales and England. However, the absence of a shared methodology makes consistent UK-wide comparisons impossible, and no comparable current data exists for exclusive breastfeeding duration beyond 6-8 weeks in England, Wales or Northern Ireland. Find out more about the current picture in each country below. 

A note on forthcoming data: England’s Infant Feeding Survey 2024 will be published on 4 June 2026. It will provide the most comprehensive picture of breastfeeding in England in over a decade, covering initiation, duration, exclusive breastfeeding and inequalities. This page will be updated with relevant findings when they are available. 

Improving UK breastfeeding rates 

Improving the UK’s breastfeeding rates would have a profoundly positive impact on child health. Increasing the number of babies who are breastfed could cut the incidence of common childhood illnesses such as ear, chest and gut infections and, according to modelling commissioned by UNICEF UK in 2012, save the NHS up to £50 million each year. Breastfeeding rates in comparable countries show that it is possible to achieve sustained improvements with a supportive breastfeeding culture and the political will to back it. 

A key part of improving rates is the provision of face-to-face, ongoing and predictable support to families across public services and in local communities. The Baby Friendly Initiative enables families to receive that support within healthcare settings, delivering a holistic, rights-based pathway for improving care. We work with health professionals to raise standards, providing an achievable roadmap for improvement that puts the needs of each child and family first. 

UNICEF UK, working in partnership with the WHO, has the knowledge, credibility and infrastructure to support an organisation the size of the NHS to put the right standards in place and make a lasting difference to children’s lives across the UK. For an outline of how Baby Friendly can impact long-term public health outcomes, see our Theory of Change document on the About Baby Friendly page. 

NICE guidance on breastfeeding 

NICE guidelines apply across all four UK nations and provide the clinical evidence base for breastfeeding support in health services. Relevant guidance includes: 

NICE guidelines for antenatal care (NG201): recommend the provision of breastfeeding information from the Baby Friendly Initiative, including technique and good management practices. 

NICE guidelines for postnatal care (NG194): recommend that all maternity care providers implement an externally evaluated, structured programme that encourages breastfeeding, using the Baby Friendly Initiative as a minimum standard. 

NICE quality standard, postnatal care (QS37): implementing the Baby Friendly Initiative is recommended as a minimum standard. 

NICE maternal and child nutrition guidance (PH11): recommends health professional training and the implementation of a structured programme that encourages breastfeeding, using the Baby Friendly Initiative as a minimum standard. 

NICE social and emotional wellbeing — early years (PH40): states that an overall infant feeding strategy should promote breastfeeding, support safe formula feeding and help families to develop positive emotional relationships with their infants. 

NICE twin and triplet pregnancy (NG137): covers management of twin and triplet pregnancies, including infant feeding. 

NICE pregnancy and complex social factors (CG110): describes how to improve access to care for women with complex social needs, who may require additional breastfeeding support. 

NICE donor milk banks (CG93): sets out how to screen and support women who donate breastmilk. 

NICE intrapartum care (CG190): covers care during childbirth with reference to breastfeeding after birth and skin-to-skin contact.