New data show that breastfeeding initiation rates in the U.K. have experienced a significant increase in the last five years.
Not to be competitive, but the initiation rate in the U.K. is now higher than in the U.S. Blimey.
The Guardian reports:
The proportion of new mothers who start to breastfeed their babies has risen in the past five years from 76% to 81% across the UK, according to new official figures.
By comparision, the U.S. breastfeeding initiation rate is 75%.
Like here, there are significant disparities by class and other demographics, with better educated women and women in professional positions leading the way:
Across the UK, 90% of women in managerial and professional jobs began breastfeeding (up from 88% in 2005), compared with 74% of those in routine and manual occupations and 71% of those who have never worked (both up from 65% in 2005).
And also like here, there new infant feeding data show persistent regional variations:
Initial breastfeeding rates in 2010 were 83% in England, 74% in Scotland, 71% in Wales, and 64% in Northern Ireland.
I was just telling someone, somewhere (I have no idea with whom I was speaking) that breastfeeding rates in the U.K. are worse than here. I stand corrected.
Are you reading this from the U.K.? Want to share your explanation for this good news?
