Breastfeeding

Introduction

Breastfeeding provides significant health benefits for both infants and mothers, reducing the risk of issues such as sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), obesity, diabetes and certain childhood cancers, while lowering mothers’ risk of breast and ovarian cancer, osteoporosis and CVD.

Breastfeeding rates are strongly influenced by health inequalities, with mothers in the most deprived communities much less likely to breastfeed.

In Wirral, overall breastfeeding rates remain below the national average, and increasing rates could deliver substantial health and economic benefits. Recognising these benefits, breastfeeding is a priority within the Wirral Plan, the Wirral Health and Wellbeing Strategy and the Best Start in Life Plan, supporting efforts to improve child health and reduce inequalities.

Breastfeeding Briefing Report (July 2026) 

Headlines

• Breastfeeding delivers major health benefits for both babies and mothers, reducing risks of SIDS, infections, obesity, diabetes and childhood cancers in children, and lowering maternal risks of breast and ovarian cancer, osteoporosis and cardiovascular disease.

• Exclusive breastfeeding is recommended for the first six months, but many mothers face barriers to breastfeeding, including insufficient support, societal attitudes, pain, difficulties with latching, and concerns about milk supply.

• Variation in breastfeeding rates is associated with inequalities, with higher rates among older mothers, ethnic minority groups and those living in less deprived areas; mothers in the most deprived communities are significantly less likely to breastfeed.

• Access to breastfeeding support for families can increase breastfeeding rates; e.g. local support services such as Koala North-West are associated with higher continuation rates compared to families who do not access support.

• Wirral’s overall breastfeeding rates remain below the England average, with 54.1% initiating breastfeeding compared with 71.9% nationally, and 41.1% still breastfeeding at 6–8 weeks compared with 55.6% nationally.

• Increasing breastfeeding rates could generate substantial health savings, with estimates ranging from at least £23.5 million annually from reduced childhood illness treatment costs to up to £50 million per year when wider health benefits are considered (national).

• Breastfeeding features in the Council Wirral  Plan, Wirral Health and Wellbeing Strategy, and Wirral Best Start in Life Plan, as a means of improving child outcomes and reducing health inequalities.