The Government is to spend about ú100,000 in the next two years on a new initiative to encourage breast feeding, Mrs Edwina Currie, Under Secretary of State for Health, said in opening a debate on women's health. The money will be spent through grant-aid to voluntary organizations.
In 1980, about two-thirds of mothers had breast-fed their babies, but the most recent survey showed that 85 per cent of those in social classes one and two were breast feeding, while only 45 per cent of those in social class five did so.
Breast feeding was better for the mother and for the baby.
Manufacturers of baby milk had agreed to phase out all free samples and subsidized supplies to hospitals and manufacturers of bottles and teats had agreed to consult about ending advertising to the general public.
Ms Joan Walley (Stoke-on-Trent North, Lab) said that the minister had talked about encouraging breast feeding, but often hard-pressed midwives were not available to give advice to new mothers about it.
Mr Ronald Fearn (Southport, SLD) said that the number of midwives should be increased and after-care services expanded. More women were being sent home 24 hours after giving birth because of financial and staffing pressures.
