Less than half of babies in West Dunbartonshire are breastfed making the area have one of the lowest rates in Scotland.
During 2020/21, just 47.5 percent of babies in the region had ever been breastfed, with only Inverclyde and North Lanarkshire recording lower figures.
In West Dunbartonshire, this was down from 49.8 percent in 2018/19 and is lower than the average for the most deprived areas in Scotland, which sits at 50.2 percent.
The Lennox Herald has recently reported on initiatives in place in West Dunbartonshire to promote breastfeeding, with 32 local firms currently signed up to the Breastfeeding Friendly Scotland scheme, which aims to provide mums with positive experiences.
Dumbarton MSP Jackie Baillie said: “Sadly, in West Dunbartonshire, the rate is lower than in most other parts of the country and is another example of a health inequality which is evident here compared with more affluent areas.
“I would like to see more done locally to promote breastfeeding and indeed a strategy from the Scottish Government to improve the outcomes for babies in more deprived areas.
“A whole community approach, including local firms providing safe and welcoming spaces for breastfeeding mums and babies, is required to boost these figures and the health and wellbeing of mothers and their infants.”
A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “Overall, breastfeeding rates across Scotland continue to rise, with the most substantial increases in breastfeeding at six to eight weeks in the most deprived areas.
“The Scottish Government are committed to supporting breastfeeding as it has many short and longer-term health benefits for both mother and baby.”
NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde said it will work with health and social care partnerships to deliver local services to women who need them, with a spokesperson for West Dunbartonshire HSCP commenting: “Of course we recognise that there is still work to be done and our West Dunbartonshire UNICEF Gold group continues to meet monthly to review progress and share ideas as we continue to strive with our partners to support mothers and babies across the area.”
