MOTHERS IN Dundee are among the least likely in Scotland to breastfeed their babies past six weeks of age, new statistics reveal.

NHS figures released yesterday show just 26.4% of Dundee-born babies last year were being breastfeed at their six to eight week review, despite a national target of 50%. These are the fourth worst statistics in Scotland, the worst being north Lanarkshire, where just 23.2% of babies were still being breastfed.

At the other end of the scale, 56.4% of babies in Edinburgh were being breastfed at this area. Angus and Fife sit in mid-table, with breastfeeding rates of 35.9% and 36.2%, respectively.

Perth and Kinross shows the second highest number of breastfed babies, at 49.8%, just 2% off the target.

Breastfeeding in infancy is thought to help protect against many childhood illnesses. Breastfed infants are thought likely to have a reduced risk of infection, particularly those affecting the ear, respiratory tract and gastro-intestinal tract. This protective effect is particularly apparent in low birth weight infants.

Other probable benefits include improved cognitive and psychological developments and a reduced risk of childhood obesity. There is also evidence that women who breastfeed have lower risks of pre-menopausal breast cancer, epithelial ovarian cancer and hip fracture in later life.

The national target, set in 1994, states that by 2005 more than 50% of women should still be breastfeeding their babies at six weeks.

The figures coincide with National Breastfeeding Week, which aims to help fight the stigma attached to breastfeeding and urge more mothers to try it.

Deputy health minister Rhona Brankin (pictured) yesterday said more Scottish babies need to get the health benefits of breastfeeding. She said, “It is important that every child in Scotland gets the best start in life and breastfeeding protects babies from a host of potential health problems.

“Mothers, too, can reap the health benefits as well as the unique intimate bonding this gives with their babies. In Breastfeeding Awareness Week, it’s an appropriate time to highlight this.

“The Scottish Parliament recently passed the Breastfeeding Act which will give more mums confidence to feed their children in public and NHS Health Scotland has carried out TV adver-tising to raise awareness of the benefits.

“Further measures aimed at educating and further raising awareness are also under way. But it is going to take time to change the culture around this issue. Today’s figures show some with high levels of deprivation, such as Glasgow, are also improving, and it’s in these areas that we need to concentrate our efforts.

“But I am disappointed to see we’re not making much progress at raising levels of breastfeeding between six and eight weeks. It’s not all bad news of course—Scotland is still at the forefront of breastfeeding initiatives in the UK. This has been recognised by UNICEF, who have awarded baby-friendly status to many of our maternity units.”