TUESDAY, 9 DECEMBER, 2025

Photographs attached:

Photo 1: (l-r )Alice McInnes, NHS Tayside Director of Midwifery, Heidi Douglas, NHS Tayside Associate Director for Public Health, Gillian McMillan, NHS Tayside Infant Nutrition Coordinator, Jill Scobie, Manager for Home Start Perth & Kinross, Lauren Watson, Breast Buddies Group Worker, Home Start Perth & Kinross and Jocelyn Smith, Breast Buddies Senior Coordinator, for Dundee and Perth and Kinross

Photo 2: Local mum Denise Emsley and her son.

Breastfeeding in Tayside at highest rate since records began

More than 70% of babies started off life being breastfed in Tayside - the highest rate ever recorded in Tayside.

New Infant Feeding Data for 2024/25 published by Public Health Scotland shows that 70.3% of babies were being breastfed when they were born in Tayside, above the national average of 69%. The statistics also show over 50% of infants were being breastfed or receiving breastmilk at 6-8 weeks of age in Tayside. Inequalities in this area are also reducing in the region with breastfeeding rates among those from the most deprived areas increasing.

Gillian McMillan, NHS Tayside Infant Nutrition Coordinator, said, “Across Tayside more than 70% of babies begin life being breastfed and to ensure mothers can continue breastfeeding for as long as they choose, it is vital that the right support systems are in place.

“Breastfeeding offers unique health, nutritional and emotional benefits for babies and mothers and improves short and long-term health outcomes, reducing the risk of infections, diabetes, asthma, and obesity.  The World Health Organization recommends exclusive breastfeeding from birth up to six months of age and then continued breastfeeding, with the introduction of solid food, up to two years of age and beyond.”

The Tayside Infant Feeding Team offers support to mums across the region by providing advice on feeding choices, offering virtual classes, and connecting parents with peer support through programmes like Breast Buddies.

Local mum Denise Emsley, who received support from the Tayside Infant Feeding Team when she started her breastfeeding journey, said, “In those overwhelming early days, when breastfeeding felt so difficult, the Tayside Infant Feeding Team became the support I didn’t even know I needed. They listened without judgement, treated me with such respect, and helped me find confidence in myself again. Because of their care, I’m still breastfeeding my son eight months later - something I once doubted would ever be possible.”

To support families on their feeding journey, NHS Tayside maternity services work closely with Breast Buddies, a peer support service that sits within the voluntary and community sector. Breast Buddies provide breastfeeding peer support to local mothers. The services are run by coordinators who recruit, train and supervise peer supporters – mothers with personal experiences of breastfeeding. They offer virtual antenatal classes, one-to-one text support, WhatsApp groups, private Facebook groups and face-to-face group support.

Gillian added, “There is robust evidence demonstrating the positive impact of breastfeeding peer support - not only for the mother but for the peer supporters themselves. We are proud to have Breast Buddies working in partnership with NHS Tayside to support mothers to meet their breastfeeding goals."

Jocelyn Smith, Breast Buddies Senior Coordinator, said, “Breast Buddies is thrilled to see the continued rise in breastfeeding rates across Tayside. We’re proud that our ongoing support has played a part in this positive trend. Since 2017, we’ve been dedicated to helping families across the region feed their babies how they want, for as long as they decide. Our close partnership with NHS Tayside ensures families are referred to us, while parents can also self-refer by visiting one of our groups or contacting us directly at Tay.BreastBuddies@nhs.scot”

NHS Tayside maternity, neonatal, health visiting and family nurse partnership services are all UNICEF UK Baby Friendly Initiative Gold Accredited services. NHS Tayside is also Breastfeeding Friendly Scotland accredited.

Contact:

NHS Tayside Communications

(01382) 424138