Official Statistics

Infant feeding survey 2024: full report

Published 4 June 2026

Applies to England

1. Introduction

The infant feeding survey (IFS) 2024 was a national survey in England that asked mothers about their experiences of feeding their infants. It collected data on all aspects of infant feeding including practices, attitudes, support and behaviours. It also captured mothers’ behaviours and practices before and during pregnancy and after the birth, for example vitamin use and drinking alcohol.

The IFS 2024 was led by the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities (OHID), which is part of the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC). The survey was conducted by Ipsos.

Background

The Committee on Medical Aspects of Food and Nutrition Policy (COMA) working party was set up in 1971. It recommended a national survey to gather information about infant feeding practices.

The first survey took place in England and Wales in 1975. It was then conducted every 5 years until 2010, broadening to include Scotland from 1980 and Northern Ireland from 1990.

The IFS 2015 was not commissioned. In 2018, the Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition (SACN), which succeeded COMA, published the report Feeding in the first year of life. It recommended the government address evidence gaps on the prevalence and duration of breastfeeding, use of nutritional supplements and use of foods other than breast milk in infancy. Following this, DHSC decided to recommission the survey. The IFS 2024 covers England only. In 2017, a separate survey on maternal and infant nutrition was conducted in Scotland.

UK guidance recommends exclusive breastfeeding for around the first 6 months of an infant’s life and continued breastfeeding alongside solid foods into the second year of life or beyond. A wide variety of solid foods, including iron-containing foods, should be introduced in an age-appropriate form from around 6 months of age.

Survey aims

The main aims of the 2024 survey were broadly similar to previous infant feeding surveys, and were as follows:

• to establish how infants born at the end of 2023 were being fed and to provide national figures on the incidence, prevalence and duration of breastfeeding and exclusive breastfeeding
• to investigate variations in feeding practices among different demographic groups and the factors associated with mothers’ feeding intentions and with the feeding practices adopted in the early weeks
• to establish the age at which solid foods are introduced and to examine practices associated with introducing solid foods up to 10 months

Changes made to update the survey since it was last carried out in 2010 included:

• updating the language in each questionnaire to be inclusive and in everyday language
• reducing the number of open-ended questions to lower respondent burden and improve response rates
• adding questions about maternal wellbeing
• adding questions on food security and how it may affect infant feeding practices
• amending questions on smoking and tobacco use in line with the latest guidance and changing behaviours to reflect the use of e-cigarettes
• adding questions on the introduction of potentially allergenic foods into the infant diet

Survey methodology

For the IFS 2024, the sample and fieldwork procedures differed significantly from previous infant feeding surveys, to reflect increased use of technology. We used a ‘push-to-web’ methodology (where participants were sent a postal invite encouraging them to complete the survey online). This differs from 2010, where data was largely collected through postal responses, with an online option available.

As in 2010, we invited mothers in 2024 to respond at 3 different time points, referred to as phases. These were planned to be when their baby was around 9 to 12 weeks, around 4 to 5 months and around 8 to 10 months. Due to fieldwork timings and response patterns, infant ages at each phase were:

• phase 1: when their baby was 2 to 5 months
• phase 2: when their baby was 4 to 7 months
• phase 3: when their baby was 8 to 10 months

At the end of the phase 1 questionnaire, we asked mothers if they were happy to be recontacted for phases 2 and 3. Mothers that agreed were then invited to take part in phase 2. The phase 3 survey was sent to mothers that completed phase 2.

For each phase of the survey, we sent mothers an invitation letter and up to 2 reminder letters inviting them to take part in the survey online. The final reminder letter also contained a paper version of the questionnaire. If a mobile phone number was available for the mother, each letter was followed by a text message reminder, with a fourth text message reminder sent 21 days after the initial invitation letter arrived.

Survey sample

Sample of mothers

The sample of mothers invited to take part in the survey was drawn from NHS England’s Maternity Services Data Set (MSDS). This is a patient-level data set that captures information about activity carried out by maternity services, relating to a mother and their infant or infants. It covers all activities from the point of the first booking appointment until mother and baby or babies are discharged from maternity services. This data is used for planning and research in an anonymised format. The source of the sample of mothers for the 2024 survey differs to that used for the 2010 survey. For the 2010 survey, the sample was drawn from birth registration records.

A single month of births across England was the basis for the sample. For the pilot, this was births in August 2023, while for the main survey this was December 2023.

Women were eligible to participate if they:

• were aged 16 years and over
• had given birth to a live infant in those specific months of 2023
• were living in England at the same address as their baby

Sample for subgroup analysis

To increase the opportunity for subgroup analysis by ethnicity, the survey aimed to maximise data collection from mothers from ethnic minority groups. To achieve this, we designed the sampling strategy to include all mothers from the selected birth months who identified as Asian or Asian British, Black or Black British, Mixed, or Other ethnic groups. A random sample of 50% of mothers who identified as White or White British made up the rest of the sample.

To increase the opportunity for subgroup analysis by deprivation, we offered incentives to mothers from more deprived areas to encourage responses. We measured deprivation using the index of multiple deprivation (IMD). We provided an unconditional incentive (£5 gift voucher) to those in IMD quintiles 1 and 2 (most deprived) at phase 1 of the survey. For phases 2 and 3, we offered the same group a conditional incentive. This meant they had to complete the survey to claim the £5 voucher.

Survey pilot and main survey

We conducted a pilot survey before each phase of the main survey to test the questionnaires, survey materials and methodology. The pilot sample was selected from births in August 2023, and the starting sample size was 2,631 mothers. This was designed to be about 10% of the total sample to provide enough data to fully test all aspects of the survey.

The questionnaires, survey materials and methodology performed well in the pilot surveys, and only minimal changes were made between the pilot and main survey phases.

You can find information on the changes made in the technical appendix.

Analysis showed no effect on the overall results from including the pilot data. So we decided to combine the pilot and main survey data sets at the reporting stage to use all the available data and provide large enough sample sizes for analysis at subgroup level.

The fieldwork dates for phase 1 were:

• pilot survey: 27 October 2023 to 4 December 2023
• main survey: 23 February 2024 to 8 April 2024

The fieldwork dates for phase 2 were:

• pilot survey: 19 December 2023 to 26 February 2024
• main survey: 24 April 2024 to 10 June 2024

The fieldwork dates for phase 3 were:

• pilot survey: 17 April 2024 to 16 June 2024
• main survey: 13 August 2024 to 10 October 2024

Response rates

The overall response rates by phase, based on the sample size and valid returns for the combined pilot and main surveys are set out in table 1.1.

We calculated the response rate for each phase using the sample for that phase. A recontact question was included at the end of the first questionnaire. Respondents who consented were invited to take part in phase 2. The phase 3 survey was sent to those who completed phase 2.

Table 1.1: response rates by phase

Phase	Sample	Valid returns	Response rate
Phase 1	26,339	10,168	38.6%
Phase 2	8,270 (see note)	5,064	61.2%
Phase 3	5,064	3,542	70.0%

Note: 8,270 of the 10,168 mothers who responded at phase 1 agreed to be recontacted.

At phase 1,150 mothers indicated they had a multiple birth, and 121 of these mothers agreed to be recontacted. At phase 2, these 121 mothers were sent an additional questionnaire. This was to understand how they were feeding the other children in this birth, as the main questionnaire relates to the infant born first. A total of 59 mothers responded to this questionnaire, representing a response rate of 48.8%.

Response rate per phase by ethnicity, IMD quintile and mother’s age are shown in figures 1.1 to 1.3. See annex 2 in the technical appendix for the demographic profile of mothers at each phase of the survey. This is compared with the profile of mothers from the sampled birth months (August and December 2023) and from births in the 2023 to 2024 year.

Figure 1.1: response rate per phase by ethnicity

Ethnic group	Phase 1	Phase 2	Phase 3
Asian or Asian British	31.1%	50.9%	60.4%
Black or Black British	45.7%	55.4%	64.0%
Mixed	35.0%	56.3%	66.9%
White (or ethnicity not known or stated) (see note)	41.1%	65.1%	72.6%
Other	32.1%	56.2%	69.8%

Note: at phase 1, 3.6% of the sample did not have a recorded ethnicity.

Figure 1.2: response rate per phase by IMD quintile

IMD quintile	Phase 1	Phase 2	Phase 3
IMD 1 (most deprived)	35.8%	56.9%	64.1%
IMD 2	40.7%	61.9%	71.4%
IMD 3	36.4%	60.4%	71.7%
IMD 4	39.4%	63.3%	71.3%
IMD 5 (least deprived)	42.9%	65.9%	72.9%
No IMD group (see note)	28.6%	33.3%	100.0%

Note: at phase 1, 0.1% of the sample did not have an IMD quintile. This is due to their postcode not having a corresponding IMD score, which often happens for new postcodes.

Figure 1.3: response rate per phase by mother’s age

Age group	Phase 1	Phase 2	Phase 3
16 to 19 years (see note)	19.6%	44.4%	37.5%
20 to 24 years	26.2%	48.1%	58.5%
25 to 29 years	35.3%	57.1%	64.3%
30 to 34 years	42.9%	63.6%	73.6%
35 years and over	43.7%	65.2%	72.1%

Note: mothers aged 15 years and under were not eligible to take part in the survey.

Weighting

Weighting is used to adjust survey data so that it more accurately represents the characteristics of the population being studied. We generated statistical weights for each phase of the data. Weights were calculated and applied for the pilot and main surveys combined.

We designed the phase 1 weights to match the population of mothers who gave birth in England in the sampling period. This was in August 2023 for the pilot survey sample and December 2023 for the main survey sample. Weights were matched by maternal age, maternal ethnicity, IMD quintile and region. This accounted for the differential likelihood of selection, based on the sampling design (oversampling of mothers from ethnic minority groups) as well as the differential non-response (where some groups are more likely to take part than others).

We calculated the phase 2 and phase 3 weights based on a non-response multivariate regression model. This calculated probability of response by maternal age, maternal ethnicity, IMD quintile and region (from the sample). It also used multiple births, education and 6 week feeding status (whether mothers were giving their baby breast milk only, infant formula only, or breast milk and infant formula) from the phase 1 survey. Participants who were less likely to respond, according to the model, received a larger weight. Those who the model identified as more likely to respond received a smaller weight.

All results presented in this report and in data tables are based on weighted data.

You can find full details of the fieldwork, sampling methodology and weighting in the technical appendix.

Interpreting the survey findings

Self-reported data

When using data from this survey, it is important to note that behaviours are self-reported by mothers at specific time points in their infant’s life. We took steps to minimise the effect of social desirability (for instance, stating that results were reported anonymously) and to increase accuracy (for instance, specifying time frames). However, there is likely to be some difference in self-reported and actual behaviours.

Infant age

Infant age is an important consideration when interpreting the survey findings at each phase of the survey. While we designed the questionnaires to reflect the ages of infants at 3 different time points, there is some overlap in the ages of infants at phase 1 and phase 2 of the survey. This is due to the narrow timeframe between fieldwork periods for the pilot and main surveys and the time allowed for mothers to respond to the survey.

The table below sets out the range of infant ages together with the mean and median age, at each phase.

Table 1.2: infant age by survey phase

Phase	Age minimum and maximum (weeks)	Age range (months) (see note)	Mean age	Median age
Phase 1	7 to 20 weeks	2 to 5 months	2.6 months	2.7 months
Phase 2	15 to 30 weeks	4 to 7 months	4.4 months	4.7 months
Phase 3	33 to 44 weeks	8 to 10 months	8.4 months	8.5 months

Note: based on one month being 4.35 weeks. Figures are rounded up.

Some of the variables reported on are not affected by the overlap in age ranges because they are based on the specific age of the infant. For example, incidence and duration of breastfeeding, and age at which solids were first introduced, are both based on the actual age of the infant. However, other measures relate to what the mother was doing at the time they completed the questionnaire. For example, mothers were asked to provide information on their use of infant vitamin drops at phase 1 of the survey. Their response might have differed depending on the age of their infants at this point, which ranged from 7 weeks to 20 weeks.

It is also important to note that infant age at each phase in the 2024 survey differs to that in previous infant feeding surveys. This, along with sampling and methodological changes, limits trend analysis.

Survey representativeness

We selected the survey sample using a random probability approach to ensure a representative sample of mothers in the sampled birth months. We oversampled mothers from ethnic minority backgrounds, and offered incentives to mothers living in more deprived areas to mitigate against differential non-response by ethnicity and deprivation.

In addition to ethnicity and deprivation, there was differential non-response by other demographic variables. This meant some subgroups were more likely to respond to the survey than others. This included by maternal age, feeding status, education and region.

Analysis of phase 2 and phase 3 data, compared with phase 1 data, showed that mothers who were feeding breast milk only at 6 weeks were more likely to participate in later phases of the survey. Also, groups who were more likely to breastfeed were more likely to participate at later phases. To attempt to correct for this differential non-response, we used 6 week feeding status at phase 1 (giving breast milk only, infant formula only, or breast milk and infant formula) as part of the weighting approach.

Although the results are weighted to reflect these differences where possible, there may still be bias for other factors that we could not account for.

Presentation of results

How findings are referenced

Throughout the report, findings are cross-referenced with the corresponding survey phase, question number and data table number. This means you can check the exact wording of questions asked and refer to the full data tables.

You can find the survey questionnaires in the Box file sharing folder Infant feeding survey 2024: questionnaires and the data tables on the IFS 2024 publication page.

Calculation of results and percentages

Typically, all response options are included in the calculation of results from a question. However, for some questions, we excluded certain response options from the result calculation where appropriate (for example, ‘Don’t know or can’t remember’).

Weighted percentage estimates are presented, showing how respondents answered each question. We display the percentages throughout the report, either in the body of the text or in tables presenting the data. We round percentages, so the sum total may equal more than 100%. When presenting information in a table, we show values of less than (<) 0.5% but greater than 0% as ‘<0.5%’. An answer option that was only shown at phases 2 and 3 would show as blank for phase 1.

Questions included in the survey are mostly closed questions that provide the respondent with a limited number of response options. Where respondents can choose multiple responses from a list, we have indicated this in the accompanying table or chart.

All subgroup differences reported in the text of the report are statistically significant at the 95% confidence level. This means we are 95% confident that there is a true difference. The full results are available in the data tables accompanying this report.

This report focuses on mothers’ responses to questionnaires. Some derived variables are included, notably in chapter 2, to produce data on incidence, prevalence and duration of breastfeeding. Data will be made available for secondary analysis from the UK Data Service.

Data analysis

We used a set range of characteristics relating to the mother to analyse the data and for reporting. We selected these characteristics as analysis variables because we know from previous surveys that they show differences in behaviours or attitudes to infant feeding.

Age of mother

All mothers were asked their year of birth at phase 1 of the survey. The results are grouped into 5 age bands:

• 16 to 19 years
• 20 to 24 years
• 25 to 29 years
• 30 to 34 years
• 35 years and over

Results for the 16 to 19 years group may not be presented in this report due to small numbers. Full results are presented in the accompanying data tables.

Ethnicity

All mothers were asked their ethnicity at phase 1 of the survey. The results are combined into 5 groups:

• Asian or Asian British
• Black, Black British, African or Caribbean
• Mixed or Multiple
• White
• Other ethnic group

See annex 2 in the technical appendix for more detail on categorisation.

Results for Mixed or Multiple or Other ethnic groups may not be presented in this report due to small numbers. See relevant data tables for full results.

Index of multiple deprivation

IMD is a measure of area deprivation, based on 37 indicators, across 7 domains of deprivation. IMD is a measure of the overall deprivation experienced by people living in a neighbourhood, although not everyone who lives in a deprived neighbourhood will be deprived themselves. To enable comparisons, areas are classified into quintiles (fifths) according to their IMD score.

This measure is based on postcode data taken from the sample information.

The results are combined into 5 groups:

• IMD 1 (most deprived)
• IMD 2
• IMD 3
• IMD 4
• IMD 5 (least deprived)

In this report, commentary focuses on the differences between mothers and infants living in the most and least deprived areas. Other statistically significant differences may exist, see relevant data tables for full results.

First child

At phase 1 of the survey, we asked mothers whether this was their first baby. Those who selected ‘Yes’ have been reported as first-time mothers. Those that selected ‘no’ have been reported as mothers with other children.

The results are in 2 groups:

• yes
• no

Demographic interactions

When reading this report, it is important to note that there is some interaction between the demographic variables. For example, younger mothers and those from Black and Asian backgrounds are more likely to live in more deprived areas.

Base definitions and suppression rules

The base is used to show how many people answered each question. Not all questions were asked of, or answered by, everyone. For example, some questions only applied to respondents depending on their answers to a previous question. Results are presented in data tables or charts with unweighted bases.

Where base sizes are small (less than 50 mothers), specifically at phase 3 of the survey, results should be treated with caution.

Comparing with previous infant feeding surveys

There are differences in the survey design and approach to sampling, alongside changes to the questionnaires. Because of this, we have not compared the results from the 2024 survey with results from previous infant feeding surveys in this report.

Contextual information

This section describes contextual information collected from the survey. This information helps in interpreting the findings discussed in the report in terms of background information about the baby’s birth and factors relating to both the baby’s and mother’s overall wellbeing. Analysis of the relationship between these factors and infant feeding has not been included in this report.

The survey also included questions to provide a demographic profile of the mothers responding to the survey. You can find details of these profiles in annex 2 of the technical appendix.

Where mothers gave birth

Findings in this section are from phase 1: questions 58 and 59. You can find more data in phase 1: tables 60 and 61.

Mothers were asked questions about their baby’s birth at phase 1 of the survey when their baby was 2 to 5 months old.

Almost all mothers (90%) gave birth in hospital. Smaller proportions of mothers gave birth in a unit run by midwives (9%) or at home (2%).

Nearly one-third (31%) of mothers who gave birth at home or somewhere else that was not a hospital or a unit run by midwives required hospital care immediately after birth either for themselves or their baby.

Stay in hospital

Findings in this section are from phase 1: questions 60 and 78. You can find more data in phase 1: tables 62 and 80.

Most mothers (70%) who gave birth in hospital, or were admitted into hospital immediately after birth, were discharged after 2 days or less in hospital. Of the 30% who stayed longer in hospital:

• 24% stayed for 3 to 6 days
• 5% stayed for 7 to 15 days
• 1% stayed more than 15 days

Most mothers (89%) who gave birth in hospital or were admitted into hospital immediately after birth said their baby stayed beside them for the whole time they were in hospital.

Delivery and pain relief

Findings in this section are from phase 1: questions 61 and 62. You can find more data in phase 1: tables 63 and 64.

Just under half (45%) of mothers who participated in the survey had an unassisted vaginal birth and a further 13% had an assisted vaginal birth. Around a quarter (23%) of births were by emergency caesarean section and 18% by a planned caesarean.

Mothers were asked about methods of pain relief used in labour. Of the methods used:

• 57% had ‘gas and air’ (a mixture of oxygen and nitrous oxide gas)
• 51% had an epidural
• 16% used pethidine or similar injections
• 22% used hypnosis, breathing and massage
• 10% used a TENS (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulator) machine
• 9% used a birthing pool

Seven per cent of mothers did not use any methods of pain relief.

Prematurity and birth weight

Findings in this section are from phase 1: questions 57 and 63. You can find more data in phase 1: tables 59 and 65.

Mothers were asked how many weeks into their pregnancy they gave birth. Of all babies:

• 93% were born full term (at 37 weeks or more)
• 4% were born at 35 weeks to 36 weeks and 6 days
• 2% were born at 34 weeks and 6 days or less

Most babies (84%) weighed over 3,000 grams at birth. Fewer than 1 in 10 babies (8%) were of a low birth weight (defined as less than 2,500 grams).

Jaundice

Findings in this section are from phase 1: questions 67, 68 and 69. You can find more data in phase 1: tables 69, 70 and 71.

Almost 1 in 6 babies (14%) were put under a lamp for jaundice and/or put into special care for jaundice while they were in hospital. Of these:

• 32% were treated for jaundice for a day or less
• 31% were treated for 2 to 3 days
• 17% were treated for 4 days to one week
• 15% were treated for longer than one week

A further 4% of mothers said that their baby was put under a lamp or into special care for jaundice for more than one month.

Of those mothers with a baby in special care or under a lamp for jaundice, three-quarters (74%) were given support to feed their baby the way they wanted to.

Number of children and multiple births

Findings in this section are from phase 1: questions 1, 101 and 102. You can find more data in phase 1: tables 1, 107 and 108.

Overall, 53% of the mothers taking part in the survey were a first-time parent, while 47% already had children.

Of the mothers who had other children (including the baby they were thinking about when answering the questionnaire):

• 68% had 2 children
• 29% had 3 to 4 children
• 4% had 5 or more children

At phase 1, mothers were also asked whether their baby was one of twins, triplets or other multiple birth. In total, 1% of mothers had twins. Fewer than 20 mothers had triplets or other multiple birth.

Wellbeing

Findings in this section are from phase 1: questions 109 to 112, phase 2: questions 88 to 91 and phase 3: questions 92 to 95. You can find more data in phase 1: tables 122 to 125, phase 2: tables 101 to 104 and phase 3: 132 to 135.

Mothers were asked about their wellbeing at each phase of the survey using the Office for National Statistics (ONS) measure for personal wellbeing.

Here we provide information from phase 1 of the survey (which provides the largest sample).

At phase 1, most mothers rated their wellbeing highly. The results showed that:

• 86% rated their satisfaction with their life nowadays as high or very high
• 90% felt that the things they do in their life are worthwhile to a high or very high extent
• 82% ranked their happiness as either high or very high

Figure 1.4: personal wellbeing scores for life satisfaction, feeling things done in life are worthwhile and happiness

Score	Life satisfaction	Feeling things done in life are worthwhile	Happiness
Low (0 to 4)	3%	2%	6%
Medium (5 to 6)	11%	8%	13%
High (7 to 8)	38%	29%	35%
Very high (9 to 10)	48%	61%	47%

Base: all mothers answering at phase 1 (10,146 mothers).

While over half (56%) of mothers had very low or low levels of anxiety, almost 3 in 10 (28%) reported high levels of anxiety.

Figure 1.5: personal wellbeing scores for anxiety

Score	Anxiety
Very low (0 to 1)	36%
Low (2 to 3)	20%
Medium (4 to 5)	16%
High (6 to 10)	28%

Base: all mothers answering at phase 1 (10,131 mothers).

While the proportion of mothers reporting high levels of anxiety is reasonably consistent with the general population, the proportion of mothers reporting very high scores for the other wellbeing measures is noticeably higher than for the general population.

Access to food

Findings in this section are from phase 1: questions 113 to 115, phase 2: questions 92 to 95 and phase 3: questions 96 to 99. You can find more data in phase 1: tables 126 to 130, phase 2: tables 105 to 110 and phase 3: tables 136 to 141.

At each phase of the survey, mothers were asked about access to food in their household in the last 12 months. They were given a series of statements and asked whether each was ‘Often true’, ‘Sometimes true’ or ‘Never true’. Figure 1.6 shows mothers’ experience of food security at phase 1.

At phase 1, mothers reported the following experiences:

• 25% were worried about food running out before they had money to buy more (19% ‘Sometimes true’, 6% ‘Often true’)
• 17% said the food they bought did not last before they had money to buy more (13% ‘Sometimes true’, 4% ‘Often true’)
• 21% said they were not able to afford to eat balanced meals (16% ‘Sometimes true’, 5% ‘Often true’)

Figure 1.6: experiences of food security in the last 12 months

Statement	Often true	Sometimes true	Never true	Don’t know or prefer not to say
I worried whether my food would run out before I got money to buy more (see note 1)	6%	19%	68%	6%
The food that I bought just did not last, and I did not have money to get more (see note 2)	4%	13%	77%	6%
I could not afford to eat balanced meals (see note 3)	5%	16%	74%	6%

Note 1: base: all mothers answering at phase 1 (10,128 mothers).

Note 2: base: all mothers answering at phase 1 (10,111 mothers).

Note 3: base: all mothers answering at phase 1 (10,117 mothers).

Most mothers (84%) had not needed to cut the size of or skip meals due to a lack of money for food. Just over 1 in 10 (11%) had done so.

2. Incidence, prevalence and duration of breastfeeding

This chapter presents findings from the 2024 survey on the incidence, prevalence and duration of breastfeeding. This includes:

• initiation of breastfeeding (that is, how many mothers started breastfeeding)
• the proportion of babies who received any breast milk
• the length of time mothers continued to breastfeed

UK guidance recommends exclusive breastfeeding for around the first 6 months of life and continued breastfeeding alongside solid foods into the second year of life or beyond. For more information, see Your breastfeeding questions answered.

All differences noted in the text about differences between groups are statistically significant.

Breastfeeding includes feeding infants expressed breast milk. The 2024 survey specifically mentioned expressed milk in its questions. The 2010 survey only referred to it in the section heading. This change was made to ensure mothers considered their experiences with expressed milk when answering questions about breastfeeding.

Results from 2024 are not directly comparable with results from previous infant feeding surveys due to changes in sampling and methodology, including changes in question wording. Although we have included figures from 2010 and 2005 in the text for ease of reference, these are intended as contextual rather than comparative. The ‘Overall trends’ section provides some commentary.

Incidence of breastfeeding

Findings in this section are derived from phase 1 questions. You can find more data in phase 1: table 142.

The incidence of breastfeeding refers to the percentage of babies who were breastfed initially. This includes all babies who had been given breast milk, or whose mothers put them to the breast at all, even if this was only once. This includes babies who were given expressed breast milk. Results are presented here as mothers initiating breastfeeding.

Results are based on mothers responding at phase 1 of the survey.

In 2024, the incidence of breastfeeding was 86%. Previous reported figures were 83% in 2010 and 78% in 2005.

The following sections look at variations in the incidence of breastfeeding.

Birth order

Previous infant feeding surveys have reported a higher incidence of breastfeeding among first-time mothers than among mothers with other children. We also see this pattern in 2024, with 88% of first-time mothers initiating breastfeeding, compared with 85% of mothers who already had children.

Age of mother

Previous surveys have shown that older mothers are more likely to initiate breastfeeding, a pattern that was repeated in 2024. Incidence of breastfeeding was 92% among mothers aged 35 years and over compared with 73% among mothers aged 20 to 24 years.

Ethnicity of mother

Mothers from all ethnic minority groups were more likely to initiate breastfeeding compared with mothers from White ethnic groups. The proportions of mothers from different ethnic groups who initiated breastfeeding were:

• 99% from the Black ethnic group
• 99% from Other ethnic groups
• 96% from the Asian ethnic group
• 91% from Mixed or Multiple ethnic groups
• 82% from the White ethnic group

Area deprivation

As reported in previous surveys, the incidence of breastfeeding was higher in the least deprived areas, with 90% of mothers living in the least deprived areas (IMD5) initiating breastfeeding compared with 80% of mothers living in the most deprived areas (IMD1).

Previous breastfeeding behaviour

Almost all mothers (97%) who had breastfed their eldest previous child also initially breastfed their most recent baby. In comparison, 58% of mothers who had not breastfed their eldest child initially breastfed their most recent baby. We saw a similar pattern in previous surveys.

Prevalence of any breastfeeding

Findings in this section are derived from phase 3 questions. You can find more data in phase 3: tables 142, 148 and 150.

Prevalence of breastfeeding refers to the percentage of all babies who are being breastfed (including being given expressed breast milk) at specific ages, even if they are also receiving infant formula, solid food or other drinks. This is also called prevalence of any breastfeeding. Results are based on data provided by mothers at phase 3 of the survey as this provides prevalence at all listed ages within the same sample.

Overall, 85% of mothers responding at phase 3 had ever breastfed their baby. Prevalence of breastfeeding decreased gradually during the early weeks, falling to 58% at 6 months.

In 2010, breastfeeding prevalence at 6 months was 36%.

Figure 2.1: prevalence of breastfeeding

Timepoints	Proportion of mothers
Ever breastfed	85%
2 weeks	80%
6 weeks	71%
6 months	58%

Base: all mothers answering at phase 3 (3,541 mothers).

The following sections look at variations in the prevalence of breastfeeding.

Birth order

There was no difference in the prevalence of breastfeeding at 6 weeks (71% for both first-time mothers and those with other children).

As found in previous surveys, first-time mothers stopped breastfeeding earlier than mothers of second or later babies. By 6 months, the prevalence figure was 56% for first-time mothers and 60% for mothers who already had children.

Age of mother

Prevalence of breastfeeding was lower among younger mothers compared with older mothers at all time points. For mothers aged 20 to 24 years, 55% were breastfeeding at 6 weeks, compared with 79% of mothers aged 35 years and over. At 6 months, 42% of mothers aged 20 to 24 years were breastfeeding, compared with 64% of mothers aged 35 years and over.

Ethnicity of mother

Prevalence of breastfeeding was higher among mothers from all minority ethnic groups, compared with White mothers at all time points. As in 2010, the gap was narrowest for Asian mothers. For example, at 6 months, 53% of White mothers were still breastfeeding compared with 60% of Asian mothers and 81% of Black mothers.

Deprivation

Prevalence of breastfeeding was lower among mothers living in the most deprived areas compared with the least deprived areas at all time points. For example, at 6 weeks, 61% of mothers living in the most deprived areas were breastfeeding, compared with 77% of mothers living in the least deprived areas. At 6 months, 48% of mothers living in the most deprived areas were still breastfeeding, compared with 65% of mothers living in the least deprived areas.

Duration of any breastfeeding

Findings in this section are derived from phase 3 questions. You can find more data in phase 3: Tables 151 and 152.

The duration of breastfeeding refers to the length of time that mothers who initiate breastfeeding continue to breastfeed for. This includes mothers who are also giving their baby infant formula, other drinks and solid food.

The results presented in this section relate only to mothers who initiated breastfeeding. They show the proportion who continued to breastfeed at different ages of the baby. Results are based on data provided by mothers at phase 3 of the survey.

In 2024, 94% of mothers who breastfed initially were still doing so after one week, 91% were still breastfeeding at 2 weeks, and 82% at 6 weeks. At 6 months, 68% of mothers who breastfed initially continued to breastfeed.

In 2010, 87% of mothers who breastfed initially continued to breastfeed after one week, 82% continued to breastfeed at 2 weeks, 69% at 6 weeks and 43% at 6 months.

Figure 2.2: breastfeeding duration for mothers who initially breastfed

How long mothers breastfed for	Proportion of mothers
Birth	100%
1 week	94%
2 weeks	91%
6 weeks	82%
6 months	68%

Base: all phase 3 mothers who breastfed initially (3,127 mothers).

The following sections look at variations in breastfeeding duration.

Birth order

Mothers who already had children tended to breastfeed for longer than first-time mothers. Although there was no difference when the babies were aged one week or 2 weeks, by 6 months 72% of mothers who already had children were still breastfeeding compared with 65% of first-time mothers.

Age of mother

Mothers aged 35 years and over were more likely than younger mothers to breastfeed for longer. At 6 months, 72% of mothers aged 35 years and over were still breastfeeding, compared with 53% of mothers aged 20 to 24 years.

Ethnicity of mother

Higher proportions of White mothers and Asian mothers had shorter breastfeeding durations compared with mothers from other ethnic groups.

At 6 weeks, 85% of Asian mothers continued to breastfeed, but this figure dropped to 69% at 6 months. Similarly, 79% of White mothers who breastfed initially were still doing so at 6 weeks, falling to 65% at 6 months. Of Black mothers, 95% were still breastfeeding at 6 weeks, falling to 84% at 6 months.

Deprivation

A higher proportion of mothers living in the least deprived areas continued to breastfeed for longer compared with mothers living in the most deprived areas. However, the proportion of mothers who stopped breastfeeding at each time point was similar by area deprivation. At 6 weeks, 77% of mothers living in the most deprived areas continued to breastfeed, compared with 85% of mothers from the least deprived areas. At 6 months, 62% of those living in the most deprived areas continued to breastfeed (15% had stopped). This compared with 72% of mothers from the least deprived areas who continued to breastfeed (13% had stopped).

Exclusive breastfeeding

Definition of exclusive breastfeeding

The World Health Organization (WHO) defines exclusive breastfeeding as an infant receiving only breast milk. This means no other liquids or solids, except for medicine, vitamins or mineral supplements.

The WHO page on breastfeeding recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months of life. UK guidance recommends exclusive breastfeeding for around the first 6 months of life and continued breastfeeding alongside solid foods into the second year of life or beyond.

How exclusive breastfeeding was measured

The following section explains how we measured exclusive breastfeeding in this report.

At each stage of the survey, mothers were asked whether they had ever given their infant formula milk, other liquids or solids since birth. If they had, they were asked at what age they first introduced each one.

Using this information, we derived 3 measures for each mother, which were the age of their baby when:

• formula (or other milk) was first introduced
• any other liquids were first introduced
• solids were first introduced

Based on this information, we combined the 3 measures to determine at what age exclusive breastfeeding stopped. This could be because formula milk, other liquids or solids were introduced.

Results are based on data provided by mothers at phase 3 of the survey.

Prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding

Findings in this section are derived from phase 3 questions. You can find more data in phase 3: tables 145 to 147.

Prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding refers to the proportion of all babies who were being exclusively breastfed at specific ages. This means that they had only ever been given breast milk up to that specific age. These babies had never been given formula milk, solid foods or any other liquids. Results are presented here as mothers exclusively breastfeeding.

When babies were one week old, 56% of mothers were exclusively breastfeeding. This fell to 47% at 6 weeks and 26% by 6 months.

In 2010, prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding was 47% at one week, 24% at 6 weeks and 1% at 6 months.

Figure 2.3: prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding

Timepoints	Proportion of mothers
1 week	56%
6 weeks	47%
6 months	26%

Base: all phase 3 mothers (3,542).

The following sections look at variations in prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding.

Birth order

First-time mothers were more likely to introduce something other than breast milk sooner than mothers who already had children. At one week, 50% of first-time mothers were exclusively breastfeeding, compared with 64% of other mothers. The prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding at 6 months continued to be higher among mothers who already had children (32%, compared with 22% of first-time mothers).

Ethnicity of mother

At one week, similar proportions of White mothers (56%), mothers from Mixed or Multiple ethnic groups (55%) and mothers from Other ethnic groups (56%) were exclusively breastfeeding. Black mothers were the most likely to be exclusively breastfeeding at one week (64%), and Asian mothers (49%) were the least likely. The pattern was similar at 6 weeks.

At 6 months, Black mothers (39%) were more likely to be exclusively breastfeeding than White mothers (25%), Asian mothers (23%) and mothers from Mixed or Multiple ethnic groups (22%).

Deprivation

At one week, prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding was higher among mothers living in the least deprived areas (60%) than in the most deprived areas (53%). By 6 months, 31% of mothers in the least deprived areas were breastfeeding exclusively compared with 26% in the most deprived areas.

Duration of exclusive breastfeeding

Findings in this section are derived from phase 3 questions. You can find more data in phase 3: tables 153 to 155.

Duration of exclusive breastfeeding refers to the length of time that mothers who initially gave breast milk exclusively from birth continued to breastfeed exclusively. This means not giving formula milk, solid foods or any other liquids.

The results presented in this section relate only to mothers who initiated breastfeeding. They show the proportion who continued to breastfeed exclusively at different ages of the baby. Results are based on data provided by mothers at phase 3 of the survey.

Among mothers who initially breastfed, exclusive breastfeeding declined in the early weeks. At one week, 61% of these mothers were still breastfeeding exclusively and by 6 weeks this had fallen to 51% of mothers. At 6 months, 29% of mothers who initiated breastfeeding were still exclusively breastfeeding.

In 2010, 67% of mothers continued to breastfeed exclusively at one week, 34% at 6 weeks and 1% at 6 months.

Figure 2.4: duration of exclusive breastfeeding

How long mothers exclusively breastfed for	Proportion of mothers
Birth	100%
1 week	61%
6 weeks	51%
6 months	29%

Base: all phase 3 mothers who breastfed initially (3,127 mothers).

The following sections look at variations in the duration of exclusive breastfeeding.

The patterns observed are broadly the same as for the prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding.

Birth order

Mothers who already had children and who initiated exclusive breastfeeding were more likely to continue exclusive breastfeeding for longer than first-time mothers who initiated exclusive breastfeeding. For example, of the mothers who initiated exclusive breastfeeding, 54% of first-time mothers continued to exclusively breastfeed compared with 70% of mothers with older children. By 6 months, 24% of first-time mothers continued to exclusively breastfeed compared with 36% of mothers with other children.

Ethnicity of mother

Black mothers who initiated exclusive breastfeeding were more likely to continue with exclusive breastfeeding for longer than White mothers, mothers from Mixed or Multiple ethnic groups and Asian mothers who initiated exclusive breastfeeding. By 6 months, 41% of Black mothers continued to exclusively breastfeed compared with 29% of White mothers, 23% of mothers from Mixed or Multiple ethnic groups and 26% of Asian mothers.

Deprivation

Mothers living in the least deprived areas who initiated exclusive breastfeeding tended to wait longer to introduce something other than breast milk compared with those living in the most deprived areas who initiated exclusive breastfeeding.

At one week, 60% of mothers living in the most deprived areas continued to exclusively breastfeed compared with 65% of mothers living in the least deprived areas. By 6 months, 28% of mothers living in the most deprived areas continued to exclusively breastfeed compared with 33% of mothers living in the least deprived areas.

Overall trends

Although the data is not directly comparable, findings presented in this chapter suggest improvements in breastfeeding incidence, prevalence and duration in 2024 compared with findings reported in the 2010 survey. This includes improvements for exclusive breastfeeding.

Alongside changes in behaviour, these differences may be influenced by other factors.

The maternal population has changed since 2010.

Data on child and maternal health show the proportion of deliveries to women aged 35 years and over increased from 19.6% (2010 to 2011) to 24.7% (2023 to 2024).

Data on deliveries to women from ethnic minority groups show the proportion increased from 20% (2015 to 2016) to 27.9% (2023 to 2024).

ONS data on parents’ country of birth also show increasing numbers of non-UK-born mothers in the maternal population, from 25.1% of live births in England and Wales in 2010 to 33.9% in 2024.

As a result, the profile of mothers invited to participate in this survey has changed. Older mothers, mothers from ethnic minority groups and non-UK born mothers are more likely to breastfeed, and for longer.

Changes in survey methodology, and associated changes in weighting and calculation methods, may also have affected the results. See the ‘Limitations’ section in the technical appendix for more information.

3. Early feeding experience

This chapter explores how mothers intended to feed their baby before the birth and their early experience of feeding after the birth. It looks at the reasons behind their feeding choices and the factors that may have influenced these, such as the mother’s peer group or their own experience as a baby or with a previous child.

Questions on early feeding experiences and planned methods were asked at phase 1 of the survey. This was because mothers’ recall was likely to be most accurate during this time than at later data collection points.

Before the baby is born

How mothers planned to feed their baby

Findings in this section are from phase 1: question 43. You can find more data in phase 1: table 44.

At phase 1 of the survey, mothers were asked about the plans they had made before their baby was born regarding infant feeding.

Overall, 78% of mothers planned to feed their baby breast milk, either using only breast milk or using both breast milk and infant formula. Around half (55%) planned to feed their baby only breast milk. Nearly a quarter (23%) expected to adopt a combined method, using both breast milk and infant formula, while 14% of mothers planned to use infant formula only.

Around 1 in 10 (9%) had not decided how they were going to feed their baby before giving birth.

Figure 3.1: how mothers planned to feed their baby

Planned feeding method	Proportion of mothers
Only breast milk	55%
A combination of breast milk and infant formula	23%
Only infant formula	14%
Had not decided	9%

Base: all mothers answering at phase 1 (10,166 mothers).

When looking at subgroups, there were differences in the planned method of feeding, as follows.

Mothers aged 30 to 34 years (59%) and 35 years and over (59%) were more likely to have planned to only give breast milk compared with mothers overall (55%). Mothers aged 16 to 19 years were more likely to have planned to feed their baby only infant formula (37% compared with 14% overall).

Mothers from a Black background were more likely to have planned to only give breast milk (71%) compared with mothers from a White background (51%).

Mothers living in the least deprived areas were more likely than those in the most deprived areas to have planned to give breast milk only (57% compared with 50%). Mothers living in the most deprived areas were more likely than those in the least deprived areas to have planned to feed their baby only infant formula (19% compared with 10%).

Mothers who had more than one child were more likely to have planned to feed their most recent baby using only infant formula (16% compared with 14% overall) or a combination of breast milk and infant formula (25% compared with 23% overall). Mothers who were having their first child were more likely to have planned to feed their baby with only breast milk (57% compared to 55% overall).

The influence of own feeding experiences and peers

Previous infant feeding surveys have shown a relationship between feeding intentions and how mothers were fed when they were babies, and how most of their friends fed their babies.

This section of the report explores the influence that friends, family and past experience may have had on mothers’ choice of feeding method.

Peer influence on feeding intentions

Findings in this section are from phase 1: question 55. You can find more data in phase 1: tables 56 and 57.

Most mothers (89%) had known other mothers with young babies before they had their own baby.

Of these mothers, nearly a quarter (23%) said that most mothers they knew gave infant formula only. Fewer said that most mothers they knew were only breastfeeding (17%), and around the same proportion (16%) were breastfeeding and giving infant formula.

Around a third (36%) could not identify a single approach to feeding that most mothers they knew were adopting.

Figure 3.2: how other mothers breastfed or gave infant formula

Feeding method	Proportion of mothers
Most of them gave infant formula only	23%
Most of them breastfed only	17%
Most of them breastfed and gave infant formula	16%
A combination of all the above methods	36%
Don’t know	8%

Base: all mothers answering who knew other mothers with young babies at phase 1 (9,033 mothers).

The data indicates that the subgroups that were most likely to plan to only use infant formula (mothers 16 to 19 years and those from the most deprived areas) were those most likely to know mothers who used only infant formula to feed their baby. In particular:

• around half (47%) of mothers aged 16 to 19 years said that most of the mothers they knew used infant formula to feed their baby, compared with 13% of mothers aged 35 years and over
• around 3 in 10 mothers (28%) from the most deprived areas said that most of the mothers they knew fed their baby infant formula only, compared with 18% of mothers from the least deprived areas

The survey findings also show that Black mothers, who were more likely to have planned to only give breast milk, were also more likely to say that most mothers they knew breastfed only (30%, compared with 17% of mothers overall).

How mothers were fed

Findings in this section are from phase 1: question 56. You can find more data in phase 1: table 58.

When looking at how mothers themselves were fed when they were a baby, around a third were breastfed only (34%). Three in 10 mothers (29%) were fed only with infant formula and a quarter (26%) were both breastfed and fed with infant formula. One in 10 mothers (10%) did not know how they were fed as a baby.

Figure 3.3: how mothers were fed when they were a baby

Feeding method	Proportion of mothers
Breastfed entirely	34%
Fed entirely with infant formula	29%
Both breastfed and fed with infant formula	26%
Don’t know	10%

Base: all mothers answering at phase 1 (10,158 mothers).

There are differences by subgroup in how mothers themselves were fed as babies:

• mothers aged 30 to 34 years (36%) and 35 years and over (40%) were more likely to have been only breastfed, compared with all mothers (34%)
• younger mothers, aged 16 to 19 years, were more likely to have been fed only with infant formula (43%, compared with 29% of all mothers)
• mothers from an Asian background, or Black background or Other ethnic backgrounds were more likely to have been only breastfed (47%, 44% and 50%, respectively compared with 34% of all mothers)
• mothers from a White ethnic background were more likely to have been only formula fed (38% compared with 29% of all mothers)
• mothers living in the least deprived areas were more likely to have been only breastfed (38% compared with 32% of mothers living in the most deprived areas)
• mothers living in the most deprived areas were more likely to have been fed only with infant formula (31% compared with 28% of those living in the least deprived areas)

How mothers fed their other children

Findings in this section are from phase 1: questions 101, 102 and 103. You can find more data in phase 1: tables 107 to 112.

Around half (47%) of the mothers who completed the survey at phase 1 already had a child. Of these, most (67%) had one child before their most recent baby.

Mothers who had other children were asked if they had breastfed any of them.

For the eldest child, which in most cases was the only other child in the household, around 7 in 10 (68%) mothers had breastfed. As shown in figure 3.4, the data suggests lower levels of breastfeeding where mothers had more than 2 children.

Figure 3.4: which other children were breastfed

Child number	Yes, breastfed	Did not breastfeed
Eldest child	68%	32%
Second eldest child (if applicable)	69%	31%
Third eldest child (if applicable)	64%	36%
Fourth eldest child (if applicable)	63%	37%

Base: all mothers answering who have older children at phase 1. This includes 5,017 eldest children, 1,769 second eldest children, 640 third eldest children and 232 fourth eldest children

Mothers living in the least deprived areas were more likely to have breastfed their other children than those living in the most deprived areas (78% and 58%, respectively), as were mothers aged 35 years and over compared with those aged 20 to 24 years (78% and 41%, respectively).

Most mothers from a Black background had breastfed their other children (94% compared with 68% of mothers overall).

Most mothers who had breastfed their eldest child continued that behaviour with their most recent child. For example, two-thirds of mothers (67%) who had previously breastfed were giving their most recent baby only breast milk at 2 weeks compared with 22% of those who had not breastfed their eldest child.

Breastfeeding experience

Findings in this section are from phase 1: question 104. You can find more data in phase 1: tables 113 to 116.

Mothers who had breastfed their other children were asked how long they did so for. The results presented here are based on feeding experience with their eldest child which provides the largest sample of data.

Around a quarter of mothers (26%) had breastfed their eldest child for up to 4 months, and nearly 1 in 5 mothers had done so for:

• between 5 to 8 months (17%)
• 9 to 12 months (19%)
• 13 to 18 months (19%)

A further 12% had breastfed their eldest child until they were between 19 and 24 months old and 8% had breastfed their eldest child until they were over 2 years.

As with previous experience of breastfeeding, there were variations in feeding behaviour by ethnicity. Black mothers were more likely to have breastfed their other children for longer: 7 in 10 (69%) had breastfed their eldest child for 9 months or more, compared with 53% of mothers from a White ethnic group.

Feeding immediately after birth

Skin-to-skin contact

UK guidance on skin-to-skin contact with your newborn recommends skin-to-skin contact soon after birth to help mothers to establish a first successful breastfeed.

Findings in this section are from phase 1: questions 64 and 65. You can find more data in phase 1: tables 66 and 67.

Nearly all (93%) mothers had skin-to-skin contact within the first 24 hours of their baby being born. Of those, around three quarters (74%) had skin-to-skin contact with their baby immediately or within a few minutes of giving birth, and 17% had skin-to-skin contact within an hour.

Figure 3.5: when mothers first had skin-to-skin contact with their baby after birth

Time	Proportion of mothers
Immediately or within a few minutes	74%
Within an hour	17%
More than 1 hour, up to 12 hours	7%
More than 12 hours later	1%
Don’t know or can’t remember	1%

Base: all mothers answering at phase 1 who had skin-to-skin contact with their baby in the first 24 hours after birth (9,422 mothers)

Across subgroups, most mothers had skin-to-skin contact within the first 24 hours. However, there was a higher proportion of mothers from Black backgrounds (9%) who did not experience this compared with all mothers (6%).

When babies were first put to the breast

Findings in this section are from phase 1: question 75. You can find more data in phase 1: table 77.

Around 4 in 5 (84%) mothers put their baby to the breast after birth, with the majority (58%) doing so within the first hour.

Overall, 1 in 7 (15%) fed their baby on infant formula only from birth.

Figure 3.6: how soon mothers put their baby to the breast after birth

Time	Proportion of mothers
My baby was completely fed on infant formula from birth	15%
Within the first hour	58%
More than 1 hour, up to 4 hours later	14%
More than 4 hours, up to 8 hours later	3%
More than 8 hours, up to 12 hours later	1%
More than 12 hours up to 24 hours later	1%
More than 24 hours later	4%
Don’t know or can’t remember	3%

Base: all mothers answering at phase 1 (10,141 mothers).

Mothers 30 years and older were more likely to have initiated breastfeeding within the first hour (63% compared with 58% of mothers overall). Mothers living in the least deprived areas were also more likely to have put their baby to the breast within the first hour than those living in the most deprived areas (64% compared with 50%).

Breastfeeding initiation within the first hour was higher for babies exposed to skin-to-skin contact than for those with no such contact (62% compared with 11%, respectively).

Infant formula, water, or glucose water use

Findings in this section are from phase 1: question 76. You can find more data in phase 1: table 78.

Of mothers who had put their baby to the breast after birth, 2 in 5 (40%) said that their baby had infant formula, water or glucose water while they were in the hospital, birth centre or unit.

Babies of mothers from the following groups were more likely to have had infant formula, water or glucose water as well as being breastfed while in the hospital, birth centre or unit:

• mothers from more deprived areas (47% compared with 40% overall)
• mothers from an Asian, Black or Other ethnic background (49%, 49% and 47%, respectively compared with 40% overall)
• first-time mothers (45% compared with 40% overall)
• mothers aged 20 to 24 years (46% compared with 40% overall)

Advice on giving babies something other than breast milk

Findings in this section are from phase 1: question 77. You can find more data in phase 1: table 79.

Mothers whose baby was fed infant formula only from birth, or had infant formula, water, or glucose water in addition to breast milk while in hospital, were asked whether they wanted their baby to have something other than breast milk, or if someone had advised them to do this.

Around 3 in 10 mothers (29%) were advised to give something other than breast milk by a healthcare professional. A similar proportion (27%) wanted their baby to have something else. The remaining mothers said neither answer applied (44%).

Of the mothers whose baby had infant formula, water or glucose water in the hospital, birth centre or unit, those living in the least deprived areas were more likely to have been advised by a healthcare professional to give something other than breast milk than those living in the most deprived areas (40% compared with 21%). This was also the case for mothers aged 30 years and over (36%) and those who were having their first child (35%), compared with mothers overall (29%).

Mothers aged 16 to 19 years were more likely to have wanted to give their baby something else other than breast milk (41% compared with 27% overall). There were also variations by ethnicity, with those from a White ethnic group more likely to have wanted to give their baby something else other than breast milk (30% compared with 27% overall).

Feeding after leaving hospital

Findings in this section are from phase 1: question 83. You can find more data in phase 1: table 85.

After leaving the hospital, birth centre or unit, 54% of mothers were only giving their baby breast milk and 25% were feeding their baby a combination of breast milk and infant formula. A further 22% were feeding them only infant formula.

Figure 3.7: how mothers were feeding their baby when they left the hospital, birth centre or unit

Feeding method	Proportion of mothers
Only breast milk (includes expressed milk)	54%
Only infant formula (includes any type of formula)	22%
With a combination of breast milk and infant formula (including expressed milk and all types of formula)	25%

Base: all mothers answering at phase 1 who gave birth in hospital or who were in hospital shortly after birth (9,972 mothers).

There were demographic variations in how mothers were feeding their baby when they left the hospital, birth centre or unit, including the following.

Age

Nearly 3 in 5 (58%) mothers aged 30 to 34 years and 61% of mothers 35 years and over were feeding their baby only breast milk (which includes expressed milk), compared with 54% overall. Almost half (48%) of mothers aged 16 to 19 years were feeding their baby only infant formula, compared with 22% overall.

Ethnicity

Mothers from Black ethnic groups (58%) or Other ethnic groups (60%) were more likely to be feeding their baby only breast milk, compared with 54% of mothers overall. Mothers from White ethnic groups (26%) were more likely to be feeding their baby only with infant formula, compared with 22% of mothers overall.

Area deprivation

Mothers living in the least deprived areas were more likely to be feeding their baby only breast milk when they left the hospital, birth centre or unit (63%, compared with 54% of mothers overall). Mothers living in the most deprived areas were more likely to be feeding their baby only infant formula (29%, compared with 22% of mothers overall) or a combination of breast milk and infant formula (28%, compared with 25% overall).

Birth order

First-time mothers were more likely to be feeding their baby with a combination of breast milk and infant formula (28%, compared with 25% of mothers overall). Mothers who had more than one child were more likely to be feeding only breast milk (57%, compared with 54% of mothers overall).

4. Attitudes and experiences of feeding

This chapter explores mothers’ experiences of breastfeeding, infant formula feeding, or a combination of the two. It looks at their attitudes to each feeding method and the reasons mothers adopted that way of feeding their baby. It also examines the reasons why mothers stopped breastfeeding and what could have helped them continue to do this for longer.

The chapter also explores the use of donor milk and expressed milk.

Attitudes to breastfeeding

Awareness of the benefits of breastfeeding

Findings in this section are from phase 1: questions 106 to 108. You can find more data in phase 1: tables 119 to 121.

Of the mothers who responded at phase 1 of the survey:

• 75% were aware of health benefits of breastfeeding either for the mother or the baby
• 13% were not aware of any health benefits
• 12% did not know or could not remember any health benefits

Mothers living in the most deprived areas were less likely to be aware of health benefits of breastfeeding (19% were not aware) compared with mothers living in the least deprived areas (8% not aware)

Mothers from some ethnic groups were less likely to be aware of the health benefits of breastfeeding compared with mothers overall (13% were not aware), including:

• Asian ethnic groups (23% were not aware)
• Black ethnic groups (18% were not aware)
• Other ethnic groups (22% were not aware)

When asked what health benefits they were aware of for the mother and the baby, around 3 in 5 mothers (61%) provided a free-text response. Responses were reviewed and coded into themes.

The most common response to the question about the health benefits for mothers, was that breastfeeding had long-term benefits or lowered the risk of health-related issues (67%). Examples included that it reduces the risk of breast and ovarian cancer and that it helps with weight loss. Other common responses included bonding with their baby (37%) and physical benefits for the mother, for example, helps uterus contract, hormonal benefits (19%).

Figure 4.1: views of health benefits for the mother

Health benefit	Proportion of mothers
Long term benefits or lower risk of health-related issues	67%
Bonding	37%
Physical benefits for mother	19%
Contraception	2%
Cost-effective or free	2%
Convenience	2%
Nothing	1%
Other	9%
Don’t know	3%

Base: all phase 1 mothers answering who were aware of benefits of breastfeeding for the mother or the baby (6,178 mothers). Open-ended free text question, with common categories shown here. Multiple responses were allowed.

When asked about the health benefits of breastfeeding for their babies, 84% of mothers said that breastfeeding would have long-term health benefits for the baby. Examples included boosting immunity and preventing illness, lowering risk of sudden infant death syndrome. Around half (54%) thought that it was good for the baby, for example helps bonding with mother, helps baby’s growth and development.

Table 4.1: views of health benefits for the baby

Answer options	Proportion of mothers
Long term health benefits	84%
Good for baby	54%
Adjusts to baby’s needs	12%
Relaxes baby	7%
Breast milk is better or best	4%
Can’t overfeed	2%
Convenience	2%
Other	7%
Nothing	<0.5%
Don’t know	1%

Base: all mothers answering at phase 1 who were aware of benefits of breastfeeding for the mother or the baby (6,383 mothers). Open-ended question, with common categories shown here.

Intended duration of breastfeeding

Findings in this section are from phase 1: question 9, phase 2: question 6 and phase 3: question 6. You can find more data in phase 1: table 9, phase 2: table 6 and phase 3: table 6.

At phase 1, when babies were between 2 and 5 months, 72% of mothers that had stopped breastfeeding would have liked to breastfeed for longer. One in 25 (4%) breastfed for longer than they intended to and 1 in 10 (10%) breastfed for as long as they intended to.

The proportion of mothers who would have liked to have breastfed for longer was similar at phase 2, when babies were between 4 and 7 months and phase 3, when babies were between 8 and 10 months.

Figure 4.2: mothers’ views about how long they breastfed for

Views about length of breastfeeding	Proportion of mothers at phase 1	Proportion of mothers at phase 2	Proportion of mothers at phase 3
I would have liked to breastfeed for longer	72%	72%	72%
I breastfed for as long as I intended	10%	14%	15%
I breastfed for longer than I intended	4%	5%	6%
Not sure	15%	10%	6%

Base: all mothers who had stopped breastfeeding (phase 1: 1,475 mothers, phase 2: 1,100 mothers, phase 3: 1,002 mothers).

Although responses were broadly consistent across subgroups at phase 1, there were some differences.

Mothers living in the least deprived areas were more likely than mothers living in the most deprived areas to have breastfed for as long as they intended to (16% compared with 8%).

Black mothers were more likely than White mothers to have breastfed for longer than they intended to (88% compared with 72%).

These subgroup differences were broadly consistent across phases 2 and 3.

Reasons for stopping breastfeeding

Findings in this section are from phase 1: question 8, phase 2: question 5 and phase 3: question 5. You can find more data in phase 1: table 8, phase 2: table 5 and phase 3: table 5.

Mothers who had stopped breastfeeding were asked their reasons why.

At phase 1, when babies were between 2 and 5 months, mothers’ reasons for stopping breastfeeding were:

• 45% stopped because their baby was not latching on or was rejecting the breast
• 44% stopped because they did not have enough milk
• 25% stopped because they had painful breasts or nipples
• 20% stopped because their baby was always hungry

By phases 2 and 3, when babies were between 4 and 7 months, and 8 and 10 months, not having enough milk was the main reason given by mothers for stopping breastfeeding, followed by their baby not latching on or rejecting the breast.

Stopping breastfeeding because of returning to work or education was mentioned by more mothers at phase 3 (6%) than at phase 2 (2%) or phase 1 (1%).

Figure 4.3: reasons for stopping breastfeeding

Statement	Proportion of mothers at phase 1	Proportion of mothers at phase 2	Proportion of mothers at phase 3
My baby was not latching on or was rejecting the breast	45%	40%	43%
I had painful breasts or nipples	25%	21%	19%
I did not have enough milk	44%	50%	46%
My baby was always hungry	20%	18%	16%
I found breastfeeding tiring	13%	14%	14%
I returned to work or education	1%	3%	6%
For medical reasons	10%	12%	12%
Health issues for the baby	5%	2%	5%

Base: all mothers answering who had fed their baby breast milk but were no longer breastfeeding at phase 1 (1,475 mothers), phase 2 (1,103 mothers) and phase 3 (998 mothers). Multiple responses allowed.

At phase 1, first-time mothers were more likely than mothers with other children to have stopped breastfeeding because their baby was not latching on or was rejecting the breast (49% compared with 39%). First-time mothers were also more likely to say that they did not have enough milk (48% compared with 38%). This was consistent at phases 2 and 3.

At phase 1, mothers from Asian and Black backgrounds were more likely to say that they did not have enough milk as a reason to stop breastfeeding (57% and 59%, respectively), compared with mothers from a White background (42%).

Pain while breastfeeding

Findings in this section are from phase 2: question 9 and phase 3: question 9. You can find more data in phase 2: table 9 and phase 3: table 9.

At phases 2 and 3 mothers were asked if they had experienced any pain as a result of breastfeeding. At phase 2, nearly 3 in 5 (56%) mothers stated that they had experienced pain, with similar proportions experiencing:

• sore nipples with no obvious damage (31%)
• sore nipples that were damaged or cracked or bleeding (25%)
• painful breasts (25%)

This was consistent at phase 3.

Figure 4.4: mothers’ experience of pain as a result of breastfeeding

Response	Proportion of mothers at phase 2	Proportion of mothers at phase 3
Yes, sore nipples (no obvious damage)	31%	30%
Yes, sore nipples (damaged, cracked or bleeding)	26%	27%
Yes, painful breasts	27%	27%
No (only very mild or no pain)	44%	43%

Base: all mothers answering who have ever fed their baby breast milk at phase 2 (4,527 mothers) and phase 3 (3,202 mothers). Multiple responses allowed.

Difficulties while breastfeeding

Findings in this section are from phase 2: question 10 and phase 3: question 10. You can find more data in phase 2: table 10 and phase 3: table 10.

At phases 2 and 3, mothers were given a list of potential difficulties with breastfeeding and asked if they had experienced any since their baby was born.

Around 7 in 10 mothers had experienced a difficulty (phase 2: 73%, phase 3: 72%). Engorgement (very full and tender breasts) was the most common difficulty, with around 2 in 5 mothers (phase 2: 42%, phase 3: 40%) experiencing this. The next most common difficulties were:

• 25% at phase 2 and phase 3 said they had difficulties with their baby taking the breast or not sucking effectively.
• 25% at phase 2 and phase 3 said they did not have enough breast milk

Figure 4.5: difficulties experienced while breastfeeding

Difficulties	Proportion of mothers at phase 2	Proportion of mothers at phase 3
Engorgement (very full and tender breasts)	42%	40%
Baby having difficulty taking the breast or not sucking effectively	25%	25%
Not enough breast milk	25%	25%
Blocked milk ducts	20%	21%
Tongue-tie in your baby (skin under the tongue that restricts movement of the tongue)	17%	17%
Mastitis	12%	13%
Thrush	6%	5%
Other difficulties	2%	2%
Abscess	1%	1%
Net: yes, experienced problems	73%	72%
None of these	27%	28%

Base: all mothers answering who have ever breastfed their baby at phase 2 (4,522 mothers) and phase 3 (3,198 mothers). Multiple responses were allowed.

Note: net includes all mothers answering who experienced a difficulty.

There were some differences by subgroup at phase 2 including that:

• first-time mothers (76%) were more likely to have experienced difficulties compared with mothers who already had children (70%)
• mothers living in the least deprived areas (79%) were more likely to have experienced difficulties while breastfeeding than mothers living in the most deprived areas (66%).
• White mothers (77%) were more likely to have experienced difficulties while breastfeeding than Asian mothers (61%), Black mothers (63%) or mothers from Other ethnic groups (62%)

These findings were consistent at phase 3.

What would have helped mothers breastfeed for longer

Findings in this section are from phase 1: question 10, phase 2: question 7 and phase 3: question 7. You can find more data in phase 1: table 10, phase 2: table 7 and phase 3: table 7.

At phase 1, almost half (53%) of mothers who would have liked to breastfeed for longer said that if their baby had latched on more easily it would have helped them to do so.

Mothers also thought that more support from healthcare professionals could have helped them to continue breastfeeding, including:

• hospital staff (30%)
• community midwifery teams (21%)
• health visiting services (13%)

Nearly 3 in 10 (28%) mothers stated that they would have continued to breastfeed if it were less painful.

Figure 4.6: what could have helped mothers breastfeed for longer

Response	Proportion of mothers at phase 1	Proportion of mothers at phase 2	Proportion of mothers at phase 3
More support from hospital staff	30%	30%	32%
More support at home from my community midwifery team	21%	22%	26%
More support from my health visiting service	13%	22%	27%
More support from my family	8%	15%	12%
If my baby could have latched on the breast easier	53%	52%	51%
If it was less painful	28%	20%	18%
If mother’s health was better	4%	11%	7%

Base: all mothers answering who would have liked to breastfeed for longer at phase 1 (1,270 mothers), phase 2 (856 mothers) and phase 3 (735 mothers). Multiple responses were allowed.

There were limited differences by subgroup across each of the phases.

Use of donor breast milk

Findings in this section are from phase 1: questions 24 and 25, phase 2: questions 13 and 14 and phase 3: questions 13 and 14. You can find more data in phase 1: tables 25 and 26, phase 2: tables 13 and 14 and phase 3: tables 13 and 14.

The use of donor breast milk to feed babies was rare, with only 1% of mothers at phase 1 of the survey indicating that they had used it. The most common source of donor milk was an NHS milk bank (84%) and nearly one-fifth (18%) of mothers who used donor breast milk had used donor milk from other sources. Base sizes were too small for analysis at phase 2 and phase 3.

Expressed breast milk

Ever fed expressed breast milk

Findings in this section are from phase 1: question 13, phase 2: question 11 and phase 3: question 11. You can find more data in phase 1: table 13, phase 2: table 11 and phase 3: table 11.

At phase 1, when babies were between 2 and 5 months, around two thirds (64%) of mothers overall had given expressed milk. This was 74% of all mothers who had given their baby breast milk.

Mothers living in the least deprived areas were more likely than those living in the most deprived areas to have fed their baby expressed milk (68% compared with 56% at phase 1), as were first-time mothers (70% compared with 56% of mothers who already had children).

At phase 2, 74% of babies who had ever been fed breast milk since birth had been fed expressed milk. This was 76% at phase 3 when babies were 8 to 10 months old.

Frequency of feeding baby expressed milk

Findings in this section are from phase 1: question 14, phase 2: question 12 and phase 3: question 12. You can find more data in phase 1: table 14, phase 2: table 12 and phase 3: table 12.

Across the 3 survey phases, mothers who had ever given their baby expressed milk were asked how often they did that. The proportion who said they gave expressed milk daily was:

• 41% at phase 1, when their baby was 6 weeks old
• 17% at phase 2, in the week before taking part in the survey
• 9% at phase 3, in the week before taking part in the survey

Table 4.2: frequency infants were fed expressed breast milk

Frequency	Proportion of infants at phase 1	Proportion of infants at phase 2	Proportion of infants at phase 3
Not at all	29%	64%	77%
Occasionally, but not every day	30%	20%	14%
Once a day	10%	6%	3%
Twice a day	7%	3%	2%
3 to 4 times a day	8%	3%	2%
5 to 6 times a day	5%	2%	1%
7 to 8 times a day	5%	1%	<0.5%
More than 8 times a day	5%	2%	1%
Net: daily	41%	17%	9%

Base: all mothers answering who have ever fed their baby expressed milk at phase 1 (6,562 mothers), phase 2 (3,368 mothers) and phase 3 (2,492 mothers). Questions asked differed slightly between phases. Phase 1 asked, “Thinking about when your baby was 6 weeks old, how often were they being fed your expressed breast milk?”. Phases 2 and 3 asked, “Over the last 7 days, how often has your baby been fed your expressed breast milk?”.

Note: net includes all mothers answering who fed their baby expressed breast milk at least once a day.

At phase 1, there were some variations by subgroup.

Asian mothers (53%) and Black mothers (52%) were more likely than White mothers (36%) to feed their baby expressed milk daily.

Mothers living in the most deprived areas were more likely than mothers living in the least deprived areas to feed their baby expressed milk daily (45% compared with 38%). This was also true for first-time mothers compared with those who already had other children (44% compared with 37%).

This variation was similar at phases 2 and 3.

Feeding pattern

UK guidance recommends feeding your baby when they are hungry (in response to their cues) rather than following a routine. This guidance applies to both breastfeeding and bottle feeding.

Findings in this section are from phase 1: question 21, phase 2: question 19 and phase 3: question 15. You can find more data in phase 1: table 22, phase 2: table 19 and phase 3: table 15.

At each of the 3 phases, mothers were asked which feeding pattern they tried to follow when feeding their baby.

Across all 3 phases, mothers predominately fed their baby when their baby wanted to, as shown in figure 4.7. At phases 1 (74%) and 2 (73%) around three-quarters of mothers were feeding their baby when the baby wanted to. This was 63% at phase 3.

Around 1 in 10 mothers at phases 1 (12%) and 2 (13%) said they would usually try and feed their baby at set times. This was 1 in 5 mothers (20%) at phase 3.

Across all 3 phases, around 1 in 10 mothers varied their feeding pattern depending on the baby.

Figure 4.7: how mothers describe when they try to feed their baby

Response	Proportion of mothers at phase 1	Proportion of mothers at phase 2	Proportion of mothers at phase 3
I usually try to feed them at set times	12%	14%	21%
I usually try to feed as and when my baby wants to	74%	73%	63%
It depends	13%	13%	15%

Base: all mothers answering at phase 1 (10,160 mothers), phase 2 (5,059 mothers) and phase 3 (3,539 mothers).

At phase 1, there were some variations in feeding patterns by subgroup including that:

• mothers living in the most deprived areas were more likely than mothers living in the least deprived areas to try to feed their baby at set times (15% compared with 9%)
• first-time mothers were more likely to try to feed their baby at set times than mothers who had more than one child (13% compared with 11%)

At phases 2 and 3, there was very little difference between subgroups. However, first-time mothers (phase 2: 71%, phase 3: 60%) continued to be less likely to try to feed when their baby wanted to than mothers with other children (phase 2: 76%, phase 3: 67%).

Experience of giving baby milk other than breast milk

UK guidance on types of formula advises that first infant formula (usually based on cows’ milk) is the only suitable alternative to breast milk in the first 12 months of life. Unless a midwife, health visitor or GP suggests otherwise, first infant formula is the only formula a baby needs.

Cows’ milk can be used in cooking or mixed with food from around 6 months but should not be given as a main drink to babies until they are 12 months old. This is because cows’ milk does not contain the right balance of nutrients to meet an infant’s needs. Similarly, goats’ and sheep’s milk are not suitable as a main drink for infants under one year old as they do not contain enough iron and other nutrients that babies this age need.

At the time of the survey, UK guidance was that from the age of one year, unsweetened calcium-fortified milk alternatives (also referred to as plant-based drinks), such as soya, oat or almond drinks, can be part of a healthy balanced diet. UK guidance on soya drinks and other milk alternatives states that rice drinks should not be used as a substitute for breast milk, infant formula or cows’ milk and should not be given to babies and children under 5 years. This is due to the levels of arsenic in these products.

This section includes data from phases 2 and 3 on types of milk other than breast milk given to babies. Data on use of infant formula at phase 1 of the survey can be found in chapters 2 and 3.

Types of other milk ever given

Findings in this section are from phase 2: question 20 and phase 3: question 16. You can find more data in phase 2: tables 20 and 21 and phase 3: tables 16 and 17.

At phase 2, when babies were between 4 and 7 months, 7 in 10 babies (72%) had been given some type of milk to drink other than breast milk (even if it was only once). This increased to over three-quarters of babies (79%) by phase 3, when babies were between 8 and 10 months.

As shown in table 4.3, of these babies at phase 2, the majority (93%) had been given first infant formula. A smaller proportion had been given:

• prescribed specialist formula (10%)
• anti-reflux formula (7%)
• comfort formula (6%)

These proportions remained broadly consistent at phase 3, except for follow-on formula and cow’s, goats’ or sheep’s milk. Around 1 in 5 babies (22%) had been given follow-on formula at phase 3 (compared to 1% at phase 2) and around 1 in 20 (6%) had been given cows’, goats’ or sheep’s milk (compared to 1% at phase 2).

Table 4.3: other types of milk given to babies (even if only once)

Milk or formula type	Proportion of mothers at phase 2	Proportion of mothers at phase 3
First infant formula or ‘first milk’ formula	93%	89%
Hungrier baby formula (hungry milk)	6%	5%
Anti-reflux (stay down) formula	7%	7%
Comfort formula	6%	5%
Lactose-free formula	4%	4%
Prescribed specialist formula (for example, hypoallergenic, preterm)	10%	11%
Follow-on formula	1%	22%
Good night milk	<0.5%	<0.5%
Soya formula	1%	1%
Growing-up milk (toddler milk)	<0.5%	1%
Cows’, goats’ or sheep’s milk	1%	6%
Plant-based drink (such as oat, soya, almond)	<0.5%	3%
Other (please specify)	1%	1%

Base: all mothers answering who have given their baby infant formula or milk other than breast milk at phase 2 (3,380 mothers) and phase 3 (2,595 mothers).

Age at which milk other than breast milk was introduced

Findings in this section are from phase 2: question 21 and phase 3: question 17. You can find more data in phase 2: table 22 and phase 3: table 18.

At both phases 2 and 3, mothers who gave their babies any kind of milk other than breast milk as a drink were asked at what age they first gave it. The findings are reported here at phase 3.

Over half of babies who had been given a milk drink other than breast milk (57%) were less than 2 weeks old when they were first given any other kind of milk, and  81% were first given any other kind of milk by the time they were 6 months old. Around 1 in 5 (19%) babies were first given other kinds of milk over the age of 6 months.

Figure 4.8: age at which milk other than breast milk was introduced

Age	Proportion of mothers at phase 3
Up to 2 weeks	57%
Up to 6 months old (including up to 2 weeks)	81%
Over 6 months	19%

Base: all mothers answering who have ever fed their baby milk other than breast milk at phase 3 (2,516 mothers).

At phase 3, first-time mothers were more likely to have given their baby a milk drink other than breast milk when their baby was less than 2 weeks old (63%) compared with mothers who had other children (48%).

Types of other milk given in the last 7 days

Findings in this section are from phase 2: question 22 and phase 3: question 18. You can find more data in phase 2: tables 23 and 24 and phase 3: tables 19 and 20.

At phase 2, the majority of mothers who had given milk other than breast milk over the last 7 days had given their babies formula milk of any kind (97%). This was similar at phase 3 (94%). More mothers had given cows’, goats’ or sheep’s milk most often at phase 3 (3%) than at phase 2 (1%), and 1% of mothers at phase 3 had given a plant-based drink most often in the last 7 days.

Formula feeding

Findings in this section are from phase 2: question 23 and phase 3: question 20. You can find more data in phase 2: table 25 and phase 3: table 21.

At phase 2, of the mothers who had most often fed their babies formula milk of any kind in the last 7 days, 80% had given them first infant formula, and 8% had given a prescribed specialist formula.

At phase 3, 63% had given first infant formula, 21% had given follow-on formula, and 9% had given a prescribed specialist formula. Less than 3% of mothers had given other types of formula.

Table 4.4: types of formula milk given to babies most often over the last 7 days

Formula type	Proportion of mothers at phase 2	Proportion of mothers at phase 3
First infant formula or ‘first milk’ formula	80%	63%
Hungrier baby formula (hungry milk)	3%	1%
Anti-reflux (stay down) formula	3%	2%
Comfort formula	2%	1%
Lactose-free formula	2%	1%
Prescribed specialist formula (for example, hypoallergenic, preterm)	8%	9%
Follow-on formula	1%	21%
Soya formula	<0.5%	<0.5%
Growing-up milk (toddler milk)	<0.5%	<0.5%
Other (please specify)	1%	1%

Base: all mothers answering who fed their baby formula milk the most over the last 7 days at phase 2 (2,536 mothers) and phase 3 (1,939 mothers).

There were no clear patterns in these data between subgroups. The size of some subgroups is small for these questions.

Reasons for giving baby types of formula milk

Findings in this section are from phase 2: question 25 and phase 3: question 21. You can find more data in phase 2: table 27 and phase 3: table 23.

At phases 2 and 3, mothers who had given their baby hungrier baby formula, anti-reflux formula, comfort formula, lactose-free formula, follow-on formula, good night formula, soya formula or growing-up milk most commonly in the last 7 days, were asked why they had started to give it to their baby.

At phase 2, when babies were between 4 and 7 months, around 2 in 5 mothers (44%) stated that this was because a health professional had advised them to. Around 1 in 5 (23%) were advised by a friend or relative and a similar proportion (21%) did so because they had previous experience with another baby. Around 1 in 10 (9%) used formula because their baby was not gaining enough weight.

At phase 3, 1 in 5 (20%) mothers had started to give that type of formula milk because a health professional had advised them to, or because of previous experience with another baby. More mothers had read leaflets or other literature that advised them to give that type of formula at phase 3 (14%) than at phase 2 (7%).

Figure 4.9: reasons for giving baby types of formula milk

Statement	Proportion of mothers at phase 2	Proportion of mothers at phase 3
A health professional advised me to	44%	20%
A friend or relative advised me to	23%	15%
Previous experience with another baby	21%	20%
I read leaflets or other literature that advised me to	7%	14%
My baby was not gaining enough weight	9%	5%
I saw or heard an advert on the TV, radio, or online	1%	1%
I saw someone on social media (such as an influencer)	1%	1%
Not sure	6%	9%

Base: all mothers answering who fed their baby formula milk the most over the last 7 days excluding first infant formula and prescribed specialist formula at phase 2 (250 mothers) and phase 3 (558 mothers).

At both phases 2 and 3, there were minimal differences by subgroup. The size of some subgroups is small for these questions.

Experience of giving prescribed specialist formula

Findings in this section are from phase 2: questions 26 to 28 and phase 3: questions 22 to 24. You can find more data in phase 2: tables 28 to 30 and phase 3: tables 24 to 26.

At phases 2 and 3, mothers who had most commonly given their baby prescribed specialist formula in the last 7 days were asked which type of formula they had given. At phase 2, the majority (86%) of babies who were given specialist formula were given this for an allergy to cows’ milk protein (or another food allergy). Nearly 1 in 7 (13%) were given specialist formula for preterm or low birth weight babies and 4% were given specialist formula for growth problems. This was consistent at phase 3.

Table 4.5: reasons why specialist formula was prescribed for babies

Specialist formula type	Proportion of mothers at phase 2	Proportion of mothers at phase 3
Specialist formula for infants with an allergy to cows’ milk protein (or other food allergy)	86%	91%
Specialist formula for preterm or low birth weight infants	13%	9%
Specialist formula for growth problems	4%	1%
Other specialist formula	<0.5%	1%

Base: all mothers answering who fed their baby prescribed specialist formula milk the most over the last 7 days at phase 2 (210 mothers) and phase 3 (164 mothers).

Due to a small base size, subgroup analysis was not possible.

At phase 2, among mothers who had most commonly given their baby prescribed specialist formula in the last 7 days, around two-thirds of babies (68%) were originally prescribed this formula by a GP. Around 1 in 10 (13%) received the original prescription from a doctor in a specialised care unit. The same proportion (8%) received their original prescription from a dietitian or a paediatrician. This was consistent at phase 3.

Figure 4.10: who originally prescribed specialist formula for babies

Prescriber	Proportion of mothers at phase 2	Proportion of mothers at phase 3
My doctor or GP	68%	67%
A doctor in a specialised care unit	13%	9%
A dietitian	8%	10%
A paediatrician	8%	8%
Other health professional	4%	6%

Base: all mothers answering who fed their baby prescribed specialist formula at phase 2 (210 mothers) and phase 3 (162 mothers).

Experience of giving milk other than breast milk or formula milk

Findings in this section are from phase 2: questions 29 and 30 and phase 3: questions 25 and 26. You can find more data in phase 2: tables 31 and 32 and phase 3: tables 27 and 28.

At phase 3, mothers who had most commonly given their baby cows’, goats’ or sheep’s milk, or a plant-based drink, in the last 7 days were asked how old their baby was when they first had this to drink. Of these babies, around two-thirds (67%) were aged over 6 months when this type of drink was first introduced.

Due to a small base size, subgroup analysis was not possible.

At phase 3, the most common reason given by mothers for giving their baby cows’, goats’ or sheep’s milk, or a plant-based drink, was as part of weaning, or to mix with food (44%). Nearly 1 in 3 mothers (32%) gave it on the advice of a healthcare professional, and around 2 in 5 (19%) drew on their previous experience with another baby.

Figure 4.11: reasons for starting to give milk or a plant-based drink to babies

Reason	Proportion of mothers
Part of weaning or to mix with food (see note)	44%
A health professional advised me to	32%
A friend or relative advised me to	12%
Previous experience with another baby	19%
I read leaflets, articles, or other literature that advised me to	3%
My baby was not gaining enough weight	13%
I saw or heard an advert on the TV, radio, or online	4%
I saw someone on social media (such as an influencer)	0%
It is cheaper to buy	6%
Not sure	11%
Other please specify	11%

Note: this response was added after grouping ‘other please specify’ free text responses. Base: all mothers answering who fed their baby cows’, goats’ or sheep’s milk, or a plant-based drink most often over the last 7 days at phase 3 (121 mothers).

Due to a small base size, subgroup analysis was not possible.

Bottle feeding and sterilising infant feeding equipment

UK guidance on sterilising baby bottles states that all infant feeding equipment should be sterilised before each use, including bottles and teats, until the infant is at least 12 months old. This is to protect the infant against infections and applies to all the equipment used for both expressed breast milk and infant formula milk.

The guidance states 3 ways to sterilise infant feeding equipment:

• cold water sterilising solution
• steam sterilising
• boiling

Findings in this section are from phase 1: questions 22 and 23. You can find more data in phase 1: tables 23 and 24.

At phase 1, mothers were asked if they had ever used a bottle to feed their baby. Nearly 9 in 10 (87%) had used one, while the remaining 13% had not.

There were differences by subgroup including that:

• mothers aged 16 to 19 years were more likely to have ever used a bottle to feed their baby (95% compared with 87% overall)
• mothers aged 35 years and over were less likely to have used a bottle (17% had never used one compared with 13% of mothers overall)
• mothers who had more than one child were less likely than first-time mothers to have ever used a bottle (18% compared with 8%)
• mothers from Asian ethnic groups (15%), Black ethnic groups (15%) and Other ethnic groups (24%) were less likely to have ever used a bottle than mothers from White ethnic groups (11%)

Mothers who had ever used a bottle were asked how they usually sterilised the bottle. Of these:

• 70% used a steam steriliser
• 12% used cold water sterilising solution
• 9% used boiling water
• 4% used hot soapy water

Figure 4.12: methods mothers used to sterilise bottles

Sterilisation method	Proportion of mothers
Steam steriliser (electric steriliser or microwave)	70%
Cold water sterilising solution	12%
Boiling water	9%
Another method	5%
Hot soapy water	4%

Base: all mothers answering at phase 1 who have ever used a bottle to feed their baby (8,757 mothers).

Boiling water was more commonly used as a method of sterilising feeding equipment among Asian mothers (22%), Black mothers (21%) and mothers from Other ethnic groups (25%) compared with White mothers (5%).

Preparing formula feeds  

UK guidance on how to make up baby formula provides detailed advice. The points in the guidance that are relevant to the results reported in this chapter are that:

• feeds should be made up one at a time, as the infant needs them
• to prepare a feed, the kettle should be filled with fresh tap water which should be boiled and left to cool for no more than 30 minutes
• the required amount of water should be poured into the sterilised bottle, double checking that the correct volume of water has been added. The water needs to be added to the bottle first and, while it is still hot, the powdered infant formula should be added.
• if using an infant formula preparation machine, the water that comes out of the machine should be at least 70°C when it mixes with the infant formula powder

Making formula feeds

Findings in this section are from phase 1: questions 15 to 17. You can find more data in phase 1: tables 15 to 18.At phase 1, when infants were between 2 and 5 months old, mothers were asked about how they made formula feeds.

Of the mothers who had given their baby formula:

• 75% usually made one feed at a time
• 8% made several feeds at a time and stored them
• 17% only ever used ready to feed formula

Figure 4.13: how mothers usually make formula feeds

Statement	Proportion of mothers
I only make one feed at a time as I need it	75%
I make several feeds at a time and store them	8%
I only ever use ready to feed formula	17%

Base: all mothers answering at phase 1 who have used infant formula (7,254 mothers)

First-time mothers were more likely than those who had other children to make several feeds at a time and store them (9% compared with 7%).

Mothers aged 35 years and over were more likely than mothers aged 20 to 24 years to only ever use ready-to-feed formula (20% compared with 10%). Mothers from Black ethnic groups were also more likely than mothers from White ethnic groups to only ever use ready-to-feed formula (28% compared with 16%). This was also true for mothers living in the least deprived areas compared with mothers living in the most deprived areas (23% compared with 12%), and for mothers who were having their first child compared with mothers who had other children (19% compared with 15%).

Using a formula preparation machine was the most common method to make up infant formula feeds (34%). Around a quarter (27%) of mothers who made up formula used water that had just boiled to make up feeds, and the same proportion (27%) used water that had boiled and been left to cool for 30 minutes.

Fewer mothers (12%) used water that had boiled and been left to cool for longer than 30 minutes, or water that had not been boiled (1%).

Figure 4.14: preparation methods used to make formula feeds

Preparation method	Proportion of mothers
A formula preparation machine	34%
Water that has just boiled	27%
Water that has boiled and been left to cool for 30 minutes	27%
Water that has boiled and been left to cool between 30 and 45 minutes	7%
Water that has boiled and been left to cool for more than 45 minutes	5%
Water that has not been boiled	1%

Base: all phase 1 mothers answering who make up formula (5,905 mothers)

Mothers living in the least deprived areas were more likely to use a formula preparation machine (49%) compared with mothers living in the most deprived areas (24%). This was also true of mothers aged 30 to 34 years (36%) and 35 years and over (37%) compared with those aged 20 to 24 years (28%).

When making formula feeds, most mothers (88%) put the water in the bottle first and then added the powder. Around 1 in 10 (12%) did the opposite, putting the powder in the bottle first and then adding water.

Black mothers were more likely to put the powder in first and then add water than White mothers (22% compared with 10%).

Feeding baby when out and about

UK guidance on formula feeding away from home states that feeds should be made fresh using hot water from a vacuum flask. If that’s not possible, a carton of ready-to-feed liquid formula is advised. If a feed is transported it should be in a cool bag with an ice pack and used within 4 hours. For more information, see the NHS guidance Formula milk: common questions.

Findings in this section are from phase 1: questions 18 to 20. You can find more data in phase 1: tables 19 to 21.

At phase 1, when infants were between 2 and 5 months old, all mothers were asked how they usually fed their baby when they were out. Of these:

• 44% said that they breastfed their baby when out
• 24% made up infant formula feeds while they were out
• 13% took ready-to-feed formula with them
• 11% made up infant formula before leaving
• 7% took expressed breast milk with them
• 1% of mothers never fed their baby away from home

There were some differences by subgroup, including:

• mothers who were aged 16 to 19 years were more likely to make up an infant formula feed before leaving home (28% compared with 9% of mothers 35 years and over and 11% of mothers overall)
• Black mothers were more likely to take expressed breast milk with them (16% compared with 7% of mothers overall), as were first-time mothers (9% compared with 5% who had other children)

Mothers who made a formula feed before they left home were asked if they kept those feeds chilled. Over 2 in 5 (42%) kept them chilled, while the remaining 3 in 5 (58%) did not.

Mothers from Asian ethnic groups were more likely to say that they did not keep the formula chilled (67% compared with 58% overall). This was also the case for mothers living in the least deprived areas (68% compared to 55% for mothers living in the most deprived areas).

Mothers who made a formula feed when they were out were asked how they usually did this. Nearly 9 in 10 (87%) used hot water to make the feed by asking for hot water or using hot water from a flask. Around 1 in 10 (13%) used cold or cooled water.

White mothers were more likely to use cold or cooled water to make up formula feeds (16% compared with 5% Asian mothers and 4% Black mothers). This was also the case for mothers who had more than one child (18% compared with 10% of first-time mothers).

5. Tongue-tie and effect on infant feeding

‘Tongue-tie’ (ankyloglossia) is where the piece of skin connecting the tongue to the bottom of the mouth is shorter or tighter than usual. It was defined in the questionnaire as “skin under the tongue that restricts movement of the tongue”.

Tongue-tie can make it harder for an infant to breastfeed by preventing them latching on to the breast. In turn, this can result in problems for the mother in sore or cracked nipples. Some babies with tongue-tie have no problems at all. They may still be able to latch on and feed well, so not every case of tongue-tie needs treatment. Tongue-tie can also cause problems with bottle feeding. For more information, see the NHS pages Tongue-tie and breastfeeding and Tongue-tie and bottle feeding.

For the first time in the IFS, we asked mothers specific questions on tongue-tie, including about their experience of breastfeeding and bottle feeding. We also collected information on the proportion of babies who had a tongue-tie division (or frenulotomy). This is a procedure to cut the piece of skin connecting the tongue to the bottom of the mouth. These questions were asked at phase 2 when infants were 4 to 7 months old.

Prevalence of tongue-tie

Findings in this section are from phase 2: question 15. You can find more data in phase 2: table 15.

Around 1 in 6 (16%) mothers reported that their infant had a tongue-tie that had been diagnosed by a health professional or an infant feeding specialist. A further 3% of mothers suspected their infant had a tongue-tie.

Three-quarters (74%) of mothers did not have a baby with a tongue-tie and 7% were unsure.

Figure 5.1: babies with a tongue-tie

Response	Phase 2
Yes, diagnosed by a health professional or infant feeding specialist	16%
Yes, I suspected they had a tongue-tie	3%
No	74%
I don’t know	7%

Base: all mothers answering at phase 2 (4,605 mothers).

White mothers (19%) were more likely to have a baby diagnosed with a tongue-tie, compared with Asian mothers (10%), Black mothers (6%) or mothers from Other ethnic groups (9%).

There was also variation by deprivation. Mothers who lived in the least deprived areas were more likely to have a baby with a tongue-tie that was diagnosed by a health professional (21%) than those who lived in the most deprived areas (10%).

Tongue-tie and feeding

Findings in this section are from phase 2: question 16. You can find more data in phase 2: table 16.

Most mothers of babies with a tongue-tie (75%) reported that it had caused problems with feeding. The problems were more often related to breastfeeding (52%) than bottle feeding (5%). However, 18% experienced problems with both breast and bottle feeding.

Figure 5.2: whether tongue-tie has caused problems with feeding

Response	Proportion of mothers
Yes, with breastfeeding	52%
Yes, with bottle feeding	5%
Yes, with both breast and bottle feeding	18%
No	23%
No problems with feeding, but caused other problems	2%

Base: all mothers answering whose baby had a tongue-tie at phase 2 (910 mothers).

Mothers aged 35 years and over (60%) and those living in the least deprived areas (62%) were more likely to report their baby’s tongue-tie caused problems with breastfeeding than mothers overall (52%).

Black mothers (39%) were more likely than mothers overall (23%) to report their baby’s tongue-tie had not caused problems with breast or bottle feeding.

Further analysis by ethnicity was not possible because of small base sizes.

Tongue-tie division

Findings in this section are from phase 2: question 17. You can find more data in phase 2: table 17.

In most cases where tongue-tie was reported to be causing feeding or other problems, babies had a tongue-tie division (75%). This procedure was more often carried out by an NHS tongue-tie clinic or provider (49%) rather than a non-NHS clinic or provider (26%).

Around a fifth of babies with a tongue-tie (21%) had not had a tongue-tie division. A further 3% were waiting for the procedure.

Figure 5.3: your baby had a tongue-tie division (frenulotomy)

Statement	Proportion of mothers
Yes, through an NHS tongue-tie clinic or provider	49%
Yes, through a non-NHS tongue-tie clinic or provider	26%
Not yet, I am awaiting a division with an NHS tongue-tie clinic or provider	2%
Not yet, I am awaiting a division with a non-NHS tongue-tie clinic or provider	1%
No, my baby has not had a tongue-tie division	22%

Base: all mothers answering whose baby had a tongue-tie that had caused feeding problems or other problems at phase 2 (716 mothers).

Mothers aged 35 years and over (83%) and those living in the least deprived areas (84%) were more likely to say that their baby had a tongue-tie division compared with mothers overall (75%). These subgroups were also more likely to have used a non-NHS clinic or provider than other groups. This included 35% of mothers aged 35 years and over and 39% of those living in the least deprived areas, compared with 26% overall.

Effect of tongue-tie

Findings in this section are from phase 2: question 18. You can find more data in phase 2: table 18.

Around 3 in 5 mothers with a baby with tongue-tie got help or support with feeding, either from a health professional (52%) or a voluntary organisation (9%). One in 10 (10%) found that the feeding problems resolved themselves.

Around 1 in 5 mothers (19%) said that they had stopped breastfeeding because their baby had a tongue-tie.

Figure 5.4: statements that apply to you as a result of your baby having a tongue-tie

Statement	Proportion of mothers
I stopped breastfeeding	19%
I got help or support from a health professional with feeding my baby	52%
I got help or support from a voluntary organisation with feeding my baby	9%
I did nothing or the feeding problems resolved by themselves	10%
None of the above	10%

Base: all mothers answering whose baby had a tongue-tie that had caused feeding problems or other problems at phase 2 (675 mothers). Multiple responses allowed.

The effects of a baby having a tongue-tie were broadly consistent across different subgroups, with a few differences including that:

• mothers who had other children were more likely to report that the feeding problems resolved themselves (14%) compared with first-time mothers (7%)
• mothers living in the least deprived areas were more likely to get help or support from a health professional with feeding as a result of their baby having a tongue-tie (61%) compared with mothers living in the most deprived areas (42%)

6. Support during pregnancy and after birth

This chapter brings together findings from the phase 1 survey, when infants were aged 2 to 5 months. It looks at mothers’ experience of feeding their babies in hospital and at home, and the advice and support they received. This includes the sources of information available and the guidance mothers received during pregnancy on:

• healthy eating
• the risks and implications of drinking alcohol and smoking

Support for mothers for feeding their infant

Findings in this section are from phase 1: questions 45 to 47. You can find more data in phase 1: tables 46 to 48.

Nearly all mothers (99%) had attended antenatal check-ups. Of all mothers, the majority (84%) had discussed feeding their baby as part of these check-ups, including:

• 79% who discussed it with a midwife
• 30% who discussed it with a health visitor
• 9% who discussed it with a doctor

Figure 6.1: who discussed feeding babies with mothers at antenatal check-ups during pregnancy

Healthcare professional	Proportion of mothers
Midwife	79%
Health visitor	30%
I didn’t discuss feeding at my antenatal check-ups	15%
Doctor	9%
Someone else	2%
I didn’t have antenatal check-ups	1%

Base: all mothers answering at phase 1 (10,157 mothers). Multiple responses allowed.

At an antenatal check-up, mothers were most likely to discuss feeding with a midwife regardless of the mother’s age, ethnicity, whether they were a first-time mother or the deprivation of the area in which they lived.

Overall, 15% of mothers did not discuss feeding, compared with:

• 22% of mothers from Mixed or Multiple ethnic groups
• 21% of mothers from Other ethnic groups
• 17% of mothers from Asian ethnic groups

Mothers living in the least deprived areas were more likely to speak to a midwife to discuss feeding at their antenatal check-up (81%) than mothers living in the most deprived areas (77%).

Mothers aged 16 to 19 years (40%) were more likely than mothers aged 35 years and over (26%) to discuss feeding with a health visitor.

Mothers were asked if, during their current pregnancy, they had been taught how to position their baby for breastfeeding and how to attach their baby to the breast. Almost half (45%) of mothers were taught this.

First-time mothers (58%) were more likely to have received guidance on breastfeeding positioning than mothers who already had children (31%).

Mothers from White ethnic groups (42%) were less likely to be taught how to position their baby for breastfeeding and attach their baby to the breast than all other ethnic groups. This compared with:

• 55% of Asian mothers
• 54% of Black mothers
• 49% of mothers from Mixed or Multiple ethnic groups
• 57% of mothers from Other ethnic groups

All mothers at phase 1 were asked if they attended any antenatal class that included talks or discussions about feeding their babies during their pregnancy. Just over 3 in 10 (31%) mothers attended an antenatal class that included this.

There were variations by age, ethnicity and the level of deprivation of the area in which mothers lived including that:

• older mothers in the survey, and particularly those aged 30 to 34 years (37%), were more likely to have attended classes where feeding was discussed than mothers aged 20 to 24 years (18%)
• mothers living in the least deprived areas (38%) were more likely to have attended classes where feeding was discussed compared with mothers living in the most deprived areas (21%)
• half of first-time mothers (50%) attended antenatal classes where talks or discussions about feeding their babies occurred compared with 9% of those with other children
• Asian mothers (26%) were less likely to attend an antenatal class that included talks or discussions about feeding their babies compared with White mothers (32%) and mothers from Mixed or Multiple ethnic groups (37%)

Antenatal information about healthy eating

Findings in this section are from phase 1: question 48. You can find more data in phase 1: table 49.

All mothers at phase 1 were asked if they received information about healthy eating while pregnant. Almost 3 in 5 (59%) mothers had received this information, around a quarter (27%) did not and a further 13% did not know or could not remember.

Mothers living in the most deprived areas (64%) were more likely to get information about healthy eating than mothers living in the least deprived areas (55%).

There were also variations by ethnicity, with Black mothers (76%), Asian mothers (67%) and mothers from Other ethnic groups (68%) more likely to receive this information than White mothers (56%) and mothers from Mixed or Multiple ethnic groups (55%).

First-time mothers (62%) were more likely to have received information about healthy eating in pregnancy than those who already had children (57%).

There were no clear differences by age of the mother.

Antenatal information about smoking

Findings in this section are from phase 1: questions 49 to 51. You can find more data in phase 1: tables 50 to 52.

Almost 7 in 10 (68%) mothers received information about smoking while they were pregnant. A quarter (24%) did not receive any information and 8% did not know or could not remember if they had received any information.

Questions related to smoking only, mothers were not asked about vaping.

There were some demographic variations including that:

• mothers aged 16 to 19 years (84%) and those aged 20 to 24 years (77%) were more likely to have received this information than mothers aged 30 to 34 years (67%) and 35 years and over (65%)
• Black mothers were more likely (75%) to be given this information compared with other ethnic groups (White mothers, 68%, Asian mothers, 65%, mothers from Multiple or Mixed ethnic groups, 65% and mothers from Other ethnic groups, 62%)
• mothers living in the most deprived areas (71%) were more likely to have received this information than mothers living in the least deprived areas (63%)
• first-time mothers were more likely to receive this information (73%) than mothers who already had children (62%)

The most common source of information about smoking during pregnancy was from midwives (90%). Fewer than 1 in 6 mothers mentioned other sources such as NHS websites (14%), other health professionals (8%) or a partner, relative or friend (7%).

Figure 6.2: where you got information on smoking when pregnant

Source	Proportion of mothers
Midwife	90%
From NHS websites	14%
Other health professional	8%
Partner, friend or relative	7%
Someone or somewhere else	3%
NHS Pregnancy Smoking Helpline	3%
Specialist smoking advisor	3%
Voluntary or charitable organisation	1%
Don’t know or can’t remember	4%

Base: all mothers answering who received information about smoking during pregnancy at phase 1 (6,832 mothers). Multiple responses allowed.

Antenatal information about drinking alcohol

Findings in this section are from phase 1: questions 52 to 54. You can find more data in phase 1: tables 53 to 55.All mothers at phase 1 were asked if they had received information about drinking alcohol during pregnancy. Almost 3 in 5 (57%) mothers had received some information, a third (31%) did not and 12% did not know or could not recall.

There were demographic variations, including that:

• younger mothers were more likely to have received this information, with 68% of those aged 16 to 19 years and 61% of those aged 20 to 24 years receiving it compared with 56% of mothers aged 35 years and over
• Black mothers (66%) were more likely to have received this information than White mothers (59%), mothers from Mixed or Multiple ethnic groups (54%), Asian mothers (51%) or mothers from Other ethnic groups (44%)
• nearly two-thirds (64%) of first-time mothers received this information compared with 50% of mothers who already had children

Sources of information about drinking

All mothers who received information about drinking alcohol during pregnancy were asked what the source of that information was. The majority (90%) received information from a midwife.

Other sources of information were mentioned by less than 1 in 5 mothers. These included NHS websites (17%), other health professionals (11%), a partner, friend or relative (8%), or voluntary or charitable organisations (2%).

Figure 6.3: where you got information on drinking when pregnant

Source	Proportion of mothers
Midwife	90%
From NHS websites	17%
Other health professional	11%
Partner, friend or relative	8%
Someone or somewhere else	4%
Voluntary or charitable organisation	2%
Don’t know or can’t remember	3%

Base: all mothers answering who received information about drinking alcohol during pregnancy at phase 1 (5,799 mothers). Multiple responses allowed.

Midwives were the most common source of information about drinking alcohol during pregnancy across all subgroups, but there was some variation in the use of other sources.

Mothers aged 30 to 34 years (19%) and 35 years and over (20%) were more likely to get information about drinking alcohol from NHS websites than mothers aged 20 to 24 years (10%) and 25 to 29 years (16%).

The use of NHS websites as a source of information on drinking alcohol in pregnancy was lower among mothers from White ethnic groups (15%) compared with mothers from Asian (22%) or Black (24%) ethnic groups.

Types of information about drinking

Among mothers who received information about drinking alcohol during pregnancy, the most common topics were:

• the effect it could have on their baby (80%)
• the dangers of sharing a bed with their baby and drinking alcohol (44%)
• how to limit the amount of alcohol consumed (17%)
• how to stop drinking alcohol in pregnancy (16%)

Figure 6.4: the information you received about drinking alcohol

Type of information	Proportion of mothers
The effects of drinking alcohol on your baby	80%
How to stop drinking alcohol in pregnancy	16%
How to limit the amount of alcohol you consume	17%
The dangers of sharing a bed with your baby and drinking alcohol	44%
Other	7%
Don’t know or can’t remember	10%

Base: all mothers answering who received information about drinking alcohol during pregnancy at phase 1 (5,793 mothers). Multiple responses allowed.

The type of information mothers received about drinking alcohol during pregnancy varied by age, ethnicity and deprivation.

Mothers aged 16 to 19 years (92%) were more likely than mothers aged 35 years and over (77%) to receive information about the effects of drinking alcohol on their baby.

Black mothers (86%) and Asian mothers (83%) were more likely to receive information about the effects of drinking alcohol on their baby than White mothers (79%).

Mothers living in the most deprived areas were more likely to receive information on the effects of drinking on their baby than those living in the least deprived areas (84% compared with 78%). Mothers living in the least deprived areas were more likely to receive information on the dangers of sharing a bed with their baby and drinking alcohol than those living in the most deprived areas (50% compared with 39%).

Support with breastfeeding after birth

Help with breastfeeding in the first few days

Findings in this section are from phase 1: question 70. You can find more data in phase 1: table 72.

In the first few days after their baby was born, 55% of mothers received in-person help putting their baby to the breast, while 10% did not receive any help.

Around 1 in 5 (21%) did not need any help with putting their baby to the breast and 13% did not want to breastfeed their baby.

Table 6.1: help putting your baby to the breast during the first few days

Answer	Phase 1
Yes, I was shown how to in person	55%
Yes, I was shown how to via video call	<0.5%
No, I didn’t want to breastfeed my baby	13%
No, I didn’t get any help with putting my baby to the breast	10%
No, I didn’t want any help with putting my baby to the breast	21%
Don’t know or can’t remember	2%

Base: all mothers answering at phase 1 (10,144, mothers).

There were variations by subgroup in terms of being shown how to put their baby to the breast.

First-time mothers (69%) were more likely to be shown how to put their baby to the breast than mothers who already had children (38%). The latter were more likely to say that they did not need any help (35% compared with 8% of first-time mothers).

Mothers aged 30 to 34 years (58%) and 35 years and over (55%) were more likely to have had someone help them put their baby to the breast than mothers aged 16 to 19 years (45%) or 20 to 24 years (46%). In comparison, mothers aged 16 to 19 years (32%) and 20 to 24 years (25%) were more likely to say they did not want to breastfeed than mothers aged 35 years and over (8%).

Mothers living in the most deprived areas were less likely to receive guidance on how to put their baby to the breast than all mothers (47% compared with 55%). But they were more likely to say that they did not want to breastfeed their baby (18% compared with 13% of all mothers).

Who provided help with breastfeeding in the first few days

Findings in this section are from phase 1: question 71. You can find more data in phase 1: table 73.

Of mothers who were helped to put their baby to the breast during the first few days, nearly all (90%) were shown how to do this by a member of the midwifery team. For example, a midwife or midwifery support worker.

Smaller proportions of mothers were shown how to do this by:

• volunteer infant feeding supporters (5%)
• a partner, friend or relative (2%)
• doctors (1%)
• someone else (2%)

There were some variations by age, ethnicity and area deprivation.

Older mothers were more likely to get help from a midwife than younger mothers (91% of those aged 35 years and over compared with 77% of mothers aged 16 to 19 years).

White mothers were more likely to get help putting their baby to the breast from a midwife (92%) compared with Asian mothers (84%) or Black mothers (86%). Black mothers (8%) and Asian mothers (7%) were more likely to be shown by a volunteer infant feeding supporter than mothers from White ethnic groups (5%).

Mothers living in the most deprived areas were more likely to receive help from a volunteer infant feeding supporter than those living in the least deprived areas (8% compared with 4%).

Demand for help on putting baby to the breast

Findings in this section are from phase 1: question 74. You can find more data in phase 1: table 76.

Of the mothers who wanted to breastfeed during the first few days, nearly 2 in 5 (39%) would have liked more help or information on how to put their baby to the breast.

The findings highlight subgroups that would have welcomed more help or information on how to put their baby to the breast. These include:

• first-time mothers (49%) compared with mothers who already had children (28%)
• mothers from White (41%) and Mixed or Multiple ethnic groups (42%) compared with mothers from Black ethnic groups (29%) and Other ethnic groups (32%)

Guidance on recognising that babies are getting enough breast milk

Findings in this section are from phase 1: questions 72 and 73. You can find more data in phase 1: tables 74 and 75.

Mothers who wanted to breastfeed during the first few days were asked whether they received guidance on how to recognise if their baby was getting enough breast milk. Of these mothers:

• 51% said that someone explained how to recognise this
• 40% did not receive guidance
• 9% did not know or could not remember

Findings were broadly consistent across subgroups. However, Black mothers (64%) were more likely to recall being shown how to recognise if their baby was getting enough breast milk compared with other ethnic groups, particularly mothers from White (48%) and Mixed or Multiple ethnic groups (45%).

Among mothers who received an explanation on how to recognise that their baby was getting enough breast milk:

• 82% were confident in being able to recognise if their baby was getting enough milk
• 15% did not feel confident
• 3% did not know or could not remember

Black mothers (91%) were more likely to have felt confident in recognising that their baby was getting enough breast milk compared with mothers from Other ethnic groups (80%).

There were no variations by age of the mother, but first-time mothers were less likely to feel confident (20%) than mothers who already had children (10%).

Experience of feeding in the hospital, birth centre or unit

Mothers who gave birth in a hospital, birth centre or unit, or spent time in hospital shortly after the birth of their infants, were asked about their experiences of feeding in these locations.

Feeding difficulties in hospital

Findings in this section are from phase 1: question 79. You can find more data in phase 1: table 81.

Three in 5 mothers (61%) reported experiencing difficulties feeding their baby while in hospital, birth centre or unit. Most difficulties related to breastfeeding, with few mothers (3%) reporting they had difficulties bottle feeding their baby.

The most common difficulties were:

• baby not latching on properly (32%)
• discomfort or pain in the breast and nipples (24%)
• not having enough breast milk (20%)
• difficulties positioning the baby for feeding (19%)
• baby not sucking effectively (17%)

Two in 5 mothers (39%) did not experience difficulties while feeding in hospital, birth centre or unit.

Table 6.2: difficulties feeding your baby while in the hospital, birth centre or unit

Feeding difficulty	Proportion of mothers
Baby was not suckling effectively	17%
Baby was not latching onto the breast properly	32%
I had discomfort or pain in my breast or nipples	24%
I did not have enough breast milk	20%
I had difficulties bottle-feeding my baby	3%
I had difficulties positioning my baby for feeding	19%
I had no difficulties with feeding in the hospital, birth centre or unit	39%
Other (please specify)	2%
Baby’s health issues	2%
Baby was tongue-tied	1%
Giving birth affected ability to feed	2%
I didn’t have help or lack of support	<0.5%

Base: all mothers answering who gave birth in hospital or who were in hospital shortly after birth at phase 1 (9,959 mothers). Multiple responses allowed.

First-time mothers were more likely to experience most of the difficulties highlighted in table 6.2 while feeding in hospital, birth centre or unit, compared with mothers who already had children. For example, 40% of first-time mothers experienced their baby not latching onto the breast properly compared with 22% of mothers who already had children.

Mothers from Black ethnic groups (40%), Asian ethnic groups (31%), and Other ethnic groups (28%) were more likely to report not having enough breast milk compared with mothers overall (20%).

Support with feeding difficulties

Findings in this section are from phase 1: questions 80 to 82. You can find more data in phase 1: tables 82 to 84.

Of the mothers who experienced difficulties feeding their baby in hospital, birth centre or unit, three-quarters (74%) were given support. The remainder (26%) did not receive any support.

Some subgroups were less likely to receive support with difficulties feeding their baby in hospital:

• 36% of mothers aged 16 to 19 years and 29% of those aged 20 to 24 years did not receive support compared with 24% of mothers aged 30 to 34 years and 24% of those aged 35 years and over
• 34% of mothers from Mixed or Multiple ethnic groups and 27% of mothers from White ethnic groups did not receive support compared with 19% of mothers from Black ethnic groups and 22% of mothers from Asian ethnic groups

Among mothers who received help feeding their baby in hospital, the most common source of support was a member of the midwifery team (89%). Other sources of support included a:

• volunteer infant feeding supporter (15%)
• partner, friend or relative (15%)
• doctor (5%)

Table 6.3: who helped or supported you

Source of support	Proportion of mothers
Member of the midwifery team (such as a midwife or midwifery support worker)	89%
Partner, friend or relative	15%
Volunteer infant feeding supporter	15%
Doctor	5%
Someone else	4%
Don’t know or can’t remember	<0.5%

Base: all mothers answering who received help feeding their baby in hospital at phase 1 (4,650 mothers). Multiple responses allowed.

Mothers living in the most deprived areas (17%) were more likely than mothers overall (15%) to receive help with feeding their baby from a volunteer infant feeding supporter. Asian mothers (21%) and Black mothers (19%) were more likely than mothers overall (15%) to receive this help from a partner, relative or friend.

Of the mothers who gave birth in hospital or who were in hospital shortly after birth, almost 7 in 10 (68%) felt that they received enough help and support with feeding their baby. Nearly 3 in 10 mothers (28%) would have liked more help, and 4% did not know or could not remember.

Subgroups that would have liked more help and support with feeding their baby while in hospital included:

• first-time mothers (34%) compared with mothers who already had children (21%)
• White mothers (30%), compared with Asian mothers (22%) and Black mothers (18%)
• mothers living in the least deprived areas (31%) compared with mothers living in the most deprived areas (23%)

Experience of feeding at home

Health visitors

Findings in this section are from phase 1: question 86. You can find more data in phase 1: table 88. Almost all (99%) mothers at phase 1 had seen a health visitor since their baby was born. This finding was consistent across all demographic groups.

Feeding difficulties at home

Findings in this section are from phase 1: question 87. You can find more data in phase 1: table 89.

Around 3 in 4 mothers (78%) experienced difficulties feeding their baby at home. The most common difficulties were:

• their baby having colic or wind (43%)
• discomfort in their breasts or nipples (36%)

Other reasons mothers found feeding difficult included:

• their baby having a reflux problem (30%)
• issues with their baby not latching on properly (27%)
• their baby vomiting up feeds (25%)
• they did not have enough breast milk (19%)

One in 5 mothers (22%) had not experienced feeding difficulties at home.

Table 6.4: difficulties with feeding your baby since being at home with your baby

Difficulty	Proportion of mothers
My baby had colic or wind	43%
I had discomfort or pain in my breasts or nipples	36%
My baby had a reflux problem	30%
My baby was not latching onto the breast properly	27%
My baby was vomiting up feeds	25%
I had no problems with feeding my baby	22%
I did not have enough breast milk	19%
I had difficulties in positioning my baby for feed	14%
I had difficulties bottle feeding my baby	7%
Other difficulties for the baby	4%
Other difficulties with feeding	1%
Other (please specify)	1%
Don’t know	<0.5%

Base: all mothers answering at phase 1 (10,153 mothers). Multiple responses allowed.

First-time mothers were more likely than mothers who already had children to experience most of the difficulties since being at home with their baby. For example, 47% of first-time mothers experienced their baby having colic or wind compared to 39% of mothers who already had children.

Older mothers (aged 30 years and over) were more likely than younger mothers to report:

• problems with discomfort or pain in their breasts or nipples (41% of mothers aged 30 to 34 years and 42% aged 35 years and over compared with 22% aged 20 to 24 years)
• a baby with colic or wind (45% of mothers aged 30 years and over compared with 38% aged 20 to 24 years)
• problems with their baby latching onto the breast properly (29% of mothers aged 30 to 34 years and 31% aged 35 years and over compared with 20% aged 20 to 24 years)

Mothers from Black ethnic groups were more likely to experience discomfort or pain in their breasts or nipples (41%) compared with mothers from White ethnic groups (37%) or Asian ethnic groups (33%).

Asian mothers (26%) and those from Other ethnic groups (26%) were more likely to have felt they did not have enough breast milk than mothers overall (19%).

Support with feeding difficulties experienced at home

Findings in this section are from phase 1: question 88. You can find more data in phase 1: table 90.

Mothers who experienced issues feeding at home were presented with a list of sources for help or information. They were asked if they had accessed any of them.

The most common source of help or information was a health professional, with almost three-quarters (73%) of mothers getting help or information this way. This was typically a health visitor (53%) or a midwife (41%). One in 5 sought help through a website (21%) or social media (18%), while few cited television or radio (1%).

Around a quarter (23%) of mothers who experienced issues feeding at home were helped by a partner, friend or relative. Other common sources of help were infant feeding support groups (17%) or a peer supporter (9%).

Nearly 1 in 10 (9%) mothers who experienced issues feeding at home did not get any help or information.

Table 6.5: where mothers got help or information about feeding difficulties

Source	Proportion of mothers
Health visitor	53%
Midwife	41%
Partner, friend or relative	23%
Online - website	21%
Doctor or GP	19%
Online - social media, discussion forum or video sharing platform	18%
Infant feeding support group	17%
From NHS websites, such as Start for Life	10%
Peer supporter	9%
I did not get any help or information about my problems	9%
SureStart, children’s centre, children’s health clinic or family hub	8%
Other health professionals	7%
Books, leaflets, magazines or newspapers	6%
Voluntary or charitable organisation	4%
National Breastfeeding Helpline	3%
Somewhere else	2%
Baby milk, food or product manufacturer - website or mailings	2%
NHS Start for Life: breastfeeding friend	2%
Television (including streaming services)	1%
Radio (including podcasts or audio streaming services)	<0.5%
Don’t know or can’t remember	3%
Net: health professional	73%

Base: all mothers answering who experienced difficulties feeding their baby at home at phase 1 (7,943 mothers). Multiple responses allowed.

Note: net includes all mothers answering who received help or information from a health professional.

Younger mothers were more likely than older mothers to not get any help or information with feeding issues at home. Around 1 in 10 (12%) mothers aged 20 to 24 years did not get any help compared with 8% of mothers aged 30 to 34 years and 35 years and over.

National breastfeeding helpline

Findings in this section are from phase 1: question 85. You can find more data in phase 1: table 87.

The 24-hour National Breastfeeding Helpline was founded in 2008 and is run by the Breastfeeding Network and the Association of Breastfeeding Mothers. Volunteers have had their own children and have received training on offering support and information about breastfeeding. The service is available in different languages and can be accessed by phone, social media and webchats.

At phase 1, all mothers were asked about their awareness of the National Breastfeeding Helpline. Of these mothers:

• 59% were aware of the helpline, but only 7% had experience of using it
• 41% were not aware of the helpline

Awareness of the National Breastfeeding Helpline was lower among:

• mothers living in the most deprived areas (55%) compared with mothers living in the least deprived areas (63%)
• mothers from Mixed or Multiple ethnic groups (54%), Black ethnic groups (53%) and Other ethnic groups (45%) compared with mothers from White ethnic groups (60%)

7. Infant feeding and health

Across the 3 phases of the survey, mothers were asked about issues they encountered with feeding. This chapter explores feeding and health issues beyond the early weeks. These issues were asked about at phase 2, when infants were between 4 and 7 months old, and phase 3, when infants were between 8 and 10 months old.

This chapter also looks at sources of support during phases 2 and 3. It looks at routine contact with health professionals, such as visits to child health clinics, children’s centres, family hubs or a GP for health information. It also covers health problems experienced by infants and whether any health issues resulted in an overnight stay in hospital.

We discuss feeding issues experienced soon after birth, in hospital and at home in chapter 6. These were assessed at phase 1, when infants were between 2 and 5 months old.

Problems with feeding in later months

Findings in this section are from phase 2: question 60 and phase 3: question 64. You can find more data in phase 2: tables 70 and 71 and phase 3: tables 101 and 102.

Mothers were presented with a list of common problems related to infant feeding and asked whether they or their infant had experienced any of them.

At phase 2, just under half of mothers (47%) had experienced any of the problems listed since they had responded to phase 1 of the survey.

Reflux was the most frequent problem, mentioned by 17% of mothers overall. Other common problems mentioned were colic or wind (15%), breast or nipple discomfort (11%) and babies vomiting up feeds (12%).

At phase 3, less than one-third (31%) of mothers had experienced problems feeding their baby since they had responded to phase 2 of the survey.

Figure 7.1: problems with feeding your baby since you filled in the last questionnaire

Statement	Proportion of mothers: phase 2	Proportion of mothers: phase 3
My baby has or had a reflux problem	17%	8%
My baby is or was vomiting up feeds	12%	6%
My baby has or had colic or wind	15%	6%
I have or had discomfort or pain in my breasts or nipples	11%	8%
My baby is or was not latching onto the breast properly	7%	5%
I do or did not have enough breast milk	9%	7%
I have or had difficulties bottle-feeding my baby	7%	6%
I have or had difficulties in positioning my baby for feed	4%	3%
I have had no problems with feeding my baby	53%	69%
Net: difficulties feeding	47%	31%

Base: all mothers answering at phase 2 (5,034 mothers) and phase 3 (3,524 mothers). Multiple responses allowed.

Note: net includes all mothers answering who had experienced problems.

At phase 2, Black mothers (41%) were less likely to experience one of the problems listed compared with mothers overall (47%). This was consistent with findings from phase 3 (25% of Black mothers compared with 31% of mothers overall).

Support with feeding

Findings in this section are from phase 2: question 61 and phase 3: question 65. You can find more data in phase 2: tables 72 and 73 and phase 3: tables 103 and 104.

Mothers who experienced issues with feeding their baby since last completing a questionnaire were presented with a list of potential sources of support. They were asked if they received any help or information from them.

Around 4 in 5 mothers who had experienced difficulties feeding their baby had sought help or information (80% at phase 2 and 73% at phase 3).

Health professionals were the most common source of support across all groups, with over half of mothers (55%) receiving support from a health professional at phase 2 and a similar proportion (49%) at phase 3.

Other common sources of support when facing problems with infant feeding included:

• information from websites (19% at phase 2 and 17% at phase 3)
• help from a partner, friend or relative (18% at phase 2 and 16% at phase 3)
• information from social media, discussion forum or video sharing platform (15% at phase 2 and 11% at phase 3)

Figure 7.2: where mothers got help or information about issues with feeding their baby

Answer	Phase 2	Phase 3
SureStart, children’s centre, children’s health clinic or family hub	7%	10%
Health professional (midwife, health visitor, GP)	55%	49%
National Breastfeeding Helpline	4%	4%
Infant feeding support group	10%	12%
Peer supporter (a mum who has breastfed themselves and been trained to give support to other mums)	4%	5%
Partner, friend or relative	18%	16%
From NHS websites, such as Start for Life	10%	12%
Voluntary or charitable organisation	3%	2%
Website	19%	17%
Social media, discussion forum or video sharing platform	15%	11%
Books, leaflets, magazines or newspapers	3%	4%
I did not get any help or information about my problems	17%	22%
Don’t know or can’t remember	3%	5%

Base: asked of mothers who experienced problems when feeding their baby at phase 2 (2,133 mothers) and phase 3 (972 mothers). Multiple responses allowed.

At phase 2, first-time mothers (82%) were more likely to get help when they experienced problems with feeding than mothers who had other children (77%).

Also at phase 2, mothers aged 35 years and over (25%) were more likely to get help or information about feeding problems from websites than mothers aged 20 to 24 years (7%). Mothers aged 35 years and over (13%) were also more likely to use NHS websites, such as Start for Life, than mothers aged 20 to 24 years (3%). In contrast, mothers aged 20 to 24 years (67%) were more likely to seek help from a health professional than mothers aged 35 years and over (52%).

We did not see subgroup variations at phase 3.

Contact with a health professional

Findings in this section are from phase 2: question 57 and phase 3: question 61. You can find more data in phase 2: tables 66 and 67 and phase 3: tables 97 and 98.

Mothers were asked about routine contact with health professionals, such as visits to child health clinics, children’s centres, family hubs or a GP.

Around half of mothers who responded at phase 2 (55%) and phase 3 (52%) took their baby to a health professional for information, to be weighed or for regular check-ups.

At phase 2, first-time mothers (58%) were more likely to take their baby to a healthcare professional than mothers who had other children (50%). We also saw this difference at phase 3. More first-time mothers (56%) took their baby to a healthcare professional for health information, to be weighed or for regular check-ups, compared with mothers who already had children (47%).

Among mothers who took their baby to see a health professional, 45% did so once a month. This was at phase 2, when babies were between 4 and 7 months.

The frequency of visits declined as babies got older, with 53% of mothers visiting a health professional less than once a month at phase 3, compared with 35% at phase 2.

Figure 7.3: how often mothers take their baby to a child health clinic, children’s centre, family hub or GP for health information, to be weighed or for regular check-ups

Frequency	Proportion of mothers at phase 2	Proportion of mothers at phase 3
Once a week	2%	1%
Once a fortnight	6%	3%
Once a month	45%	32%
Less than once a month	35%	53%

Base: all mothers who took their baby to a child health clinic, children’s centre, family hub or GP for health information, to be weighed or for regular check-ups at phase 2 (3,090 mothers) and phase 3 (1,990 mothers).

Infant experiencing health conditions

Findings in this section are from phase 2: question 58 and phase 3: question 62. You can find more data in phase 2: table 68 and phase 3: table 99.

Mothers were presented with a list of common infant health problems. They were asked if their baby had ever experienced any of them.

Around two-thirds of babies had faced at least one of the problems listed (68% at phase 2 and 73% at phase 3). The most common problems experienced were colic or painful wind, reflux and constipation.

Table 7.1: problems baby has ever suffered from

Health problem	Proportion of mothers at phase 2	Proportion of mothers at phase 3
Sickness or vomiting	14%	21%
Diarrhoea	15%	22%
Constipation	24%	38%
Chest problems or infection	6%	8%
Ear problems or ear infection	1%	4%
Urinary tract infection	1%	1%
Reflux	29%	26%
Colic or painful wind	30%	24%
Thrush	5%	5%
Not gaining enough weight	14%	12%
Gaining too much weight	1%	<0.5%
None of these	32%	27%

Base: all mothers answering at phase 2 (5,050 mothers) and phase 3 (3,538 mothers). Multiple responses allowed.

First-time mothers were more likely to find that their baby experienced one of the problems listed than mothers who had other children. At phase 2, 69% of first-time mothers reported this compared with 66% of mothers with other children. At phase 3, 75% of first-time mothers reported this compared with 70% of mothers with other children.

We also saw variations for specific problems. For example, first-time mothers were more likely to find that their baby had colic or painful wind. At phase 2, 32% of first-time mothers reported this compared with 28% of mothers who had other children. At phase 3, 26% reported this compared with 22% of mothers who had other children.

First-time mothers were also more likely to report that their baby had experienced constipation. At phase 2, 26% reported this compared with 21% of mothers who had other children. At phase 3, 42% reported this compared with 32% of mothers who had other children.

At phase 2, mothers living in the least deprived areas were more likely to report that their baby had experienced one of the listed problems (73%) compared with mothers living in the most deprived areas (63%).

Overnight stay in hospital

Findings in this section are from phase 2: question 59 and phase 3: question 63. You can find more data in phase 2: table 69 and phase 3: table 100.

Mothers whose baby had experienced health problems were asked if their baby had stayed overnight in hospital. Around 1 in 7 (15%) had done so at phase 2 and phase 3.

The most common reasons for an overnight stay in hospital were:

• chest problems or a chest infection (4% of babies experiencing a health problem at phase 2 and phase 3)
• not gaining weight (3% at phase 2 and phase 3)
• sickness or vomiting (2% at phase 2 and phase 3)

Because of the small numbers of babies who stayed overnight in hospital, subgroup variations are not reported.

8. Other drinks

Drinks other than breast milk or infant formula

This chapter looks at drinks babies have been given, other than breast milk or infant formula, at each phase of the survey. It also looks at reasons why these drinks were given.

UK guidance on drinks and cups for babies and young children advises that once infants start eating solid foods at around 6 months old, they can be offered sips of water from a cup or beaker with meals. Exclusively breastfed infants do not need water until they start solid foods. In hot weather, infants under 6 months who are formula fed may need small sips of cooled boiled water in addition to their usual feeds. Babies under 12 months do not need drinks other than their usual milk feeds and water.

Drinks given to babies

Findings in this section are from phase 1: question 34, phase 2: question 38 and phase 3: question 35. You can find more data in phase 1: table 35, phase 2: table 42 and phase 3: table 39.

At phase 1, when babies were between 2 and 5 months old, almost all babies (93%) had not had a drink other than breast milk or infant formula in the last 7 days, as shown in table 8.1. Around 1 in 20 (6%) had been given water and 1% had been given another drink.

At phase 2, when babies were between 4 and 7 months old, most babies (83%) continued to drink only breast milk or infant formula. Overall, 15% of babies had been given water in the last 7 days and 3% had been given another drink.

By phase 3, when babies were between 8 and 10 months old, feeding patterns had changed. Most babies (93%) had been given a drink other than breast milk or infant formula in the last 7 days. Water was the most common drink (90%). Fewer than 1 in 10 babies had been given fruit juice (8%), squash (5%) or herbal drinks (1%).

Table 8.1: drinks your baby has had other than breast milk or infant formula over the last 7 days

Drink	Proportion of mothers at phase 1	Proportion of mothers at phase 2	Proportion of mothers at phase 3
Water	6%	15%	90%
Fruit juice	<0.5%	1%	8%
Squash or diluting juice or cordial	<0.5%	1%%	5%
Herbal drink	<0.5%	<0.5%	1%
Drink other than breast milk or infant formula but not listed above	1%	1%	1%
Not had drinks other than breast milk or infant formula	93%	83%	7%
Net: had a drink other than breast milk, infant formula, water	1%	3%	14%

Base: all mothers answering at phase 1 (10,138 mothers), phase 2 (5,055 mothers), and phase 3 (3,540 mothers).

Age at which other drinks were first introduced

Findings in this section are from phase 1: question 36, phase 2: question 40 and phase 3: question 37. You can find more data in phase 1: table 37, phase 2: table 45 and phase 3: table 42.

Data from phase 3 shows the age at which babies had first been given drinks other than breast milk or infant formula.

Very few babies (4%) were given drinks other than breast milk or infant formula before 16 weeks. Around 1 in 10 (11%) were given another drink between 16 and 26 weeks. Most babies were first given other drinks between 26 to 30 weeks old (66%).

Figure 8.1: age of your baby when they were first given drinks other than breast milk or infant formula

Age	Proportion of mothers at phase 3
Up to 16 weeks	4%
Over 16 up to 26 weeks	11%
Over 26 weeks up to 30 weeks	66%
Over 30 weeks up to 34 weeks	13%
Over 34 weeks up to 46 weeks	5%

Base: all mothers answering who have ever fed their baby drinks other than breast milk and infant formula at phase 3 (3,350 mothers).

Reasons for providing other drinks

Findings in this section are from phase 1: question 37, phase 2: question 41 and phase 3: question 38. You can find more data in phase 1: table 38, phase 2: table 46 and phase 3: table 43.As shown in table 8.3, at phase 1, the most common reason for giving their infant drinks other than breast milk or infant formula was to help with their constipation (66%). Other common reasons included to help with colic or wind (27%), being thirsty (13%) and to settle them (9%).

At phase 2, this remained consistent, with mothers most commonly giving their baby drinks other than breast milk or infant formula to help with constipation (45%). However, just over a quarter (27%) said that they gave their baby drinks other than breast milk or infant formula to have with solid foods. This answer option was only available at phases 2 and 3.

At phase 3, the most common reason for giving their infant drinks other than breast milk or infant formula was to have with solid foods (67%). Just over 3 in 10 mothers (32%) gave them other drinks because they were thirsty, while 1 in 5 (20%) gave them to help with constipation.

There were no consistent variations by subgroup across the 3 phases.

Table 8.2: why you give your baby drinks apart from breast milk or infant formula

Reason	Proportion of mothers at phase 1	Proportion of mothers at phase 2	Proportion of mothers at phase 3
Because they are thirsty	13%	21%	32%
To give them extra vitamins	2%	4%	3%
To help with their wind or colic	27%	15%	3%
To help with their constipation	66%	45%	20%
To settle them	9%	8%	4%
To have with solid foods	Option not available	27%	67%
To avoid dehydration	1%	7%	3%
They were unwell, to help cold, sore throat or mucus	1%	<0.5%	<0.5%
To mix with medication	2%	1%	<0.5%
Baby can now drink water	Option not available	Option not available	1%
During hot weather	1%	0%	Option not available
Advised by healthcare professional	2%	Option not available	Option not available
To help with hiccups	1%	0%	Option not available
For other reasons	3%	6%	7%
I don’t give my baby drinks	2%	2%	Option not available
Don’t know	1%	Option not available	Option not available

Base: all mothers answering who fed their babies other drinks at phase 1 (1,237 mothers), phase 2 (977 mothers) and phase 3 (3,382 mothers).

Age at which a cup or beaker was introduced

UK guidance on drinks and cups for babies and young children recommends that from around 6 months old, infants should be encouraged to drink from a cup or beaker. An open cup or beaker, or one with a free-flow lid, will help babies learn to sip rather than suck and is better for their teeth.

Findings in this section are from phase 3: question 39. You can find more data in phase 3: table 44.

By phase 3, 83% of babies had started to drink from a cup or beaker with a spout. Nearly half of babies (49%) first began to use one between 26 and 30 weeks.

Figure 8.2: age of your baby when they first began to use a cup or beaker with a spout

Age of introduction	Proportion of mothers at phase 3
Up to 16 weeks	1%
Over 16 up to 26 weeks	8%
Over 26 weeks up to 30 weeks	49%
Over 30 weeks up to 34 weeks	17%
Over 34 weeks up to 46 weeks	7%
My baby has never drunk from a cup or beaker with a spout	17%

Base: all mothers answering at phase 3 (3,496 mothers).

The following groups of mothers were more likely to say their baby had never drunk from a cup or beaker with a spout:

• mothers aged 20 to 24 (24%) and those aged 25 to 29 (21%) compared with mothers aged 35 years and over (14%)
• mothers from Asian ethnic groups (27%) compared with mothers from White ethnic groups (15%)
• mothers living in the most deprived areas (23%) compared with those living in the least deprived areas (13%)

9. Solid foods and complementary feeding

This chapter covers the timing, types and frequency of solid foods given to infants. It also looks at types of diets, the introduction of potentially allergenic foods and the support mothers received.

UK guidance on your baby’s first solid foods recommends introducing solid foods when an infant is around 6 months old. This is sometimes called complementary feeding or weaning.

From around 6 months, babies should be introduced to a wide range of solid foods, including foods that contain iron, alongside continued breastfeeding or formula milk. To help infants get used to different tastes and textures, they should move onto mashed and finger foods (from purees or smooth blended foods) as soon as they are able to manage them. This also helps them learn how to move solid food around their mouth, chew and swallow.

Findings in this chapter are mainly based on phase 3 data, when most babies have already started solid foods.

Age at which solid foods were introduced

Findings in this section are from phase 3: question 40. You can find more data in phase 3: table 45.

At phase 3, when babies were between 8 and 10 months old, almost all mothers (99%) had introduced solid foods.

Mothers were asked how old their baby was when they first had any kind of food apart from breast milk or infant formula. Nearly 7 in 10 (67%) mothers reported first introducing solid foods when their baby was 6 months or older (over 26 weeks). Overall, 19% of mothers had introduced solid foods by the time their baby was 5 months old (22 weeks) and a further 12% of mothers had introduced solid foods when their baby was between 5 and 6 months old.

In IFS 2010, 75% of mothers reported having introduced solid foods at 5 months and 94% had introduced them by 6 months.

Figure 9.1: age of your baby when they first had any kind of food apart from breast milk or infant formula

Age of introduction	Proportion of mothers
Never had	1%
Up to 16 weeks	1%
Over 16 weeks, up to 22 weeks	17%
Over 22 weeks, up to 26 weeks	12%
Over 26 weeks, up to 30 weeks	60%
Over 30 weeks, up to 34 weeks	5%
Over 34 weeks, up to 46 weeks	1%

Base: all mothers answering at phase 3 (3,542 mothers).

The following groups were more likely to have reported introducing solid foods to their baby when they were 6 months (26 weeks) or older:

• Asian mothers (78%) and Black mothers (84%) compared with White mothers (62%)
• mothers aged 35 years and over (74%) compared with mothers overall (67%)
• mothers who already had children (71%) compared with first-time mothers (63%).

Reasons for introducing solid foods

Findings in this section are from phase 3: question 41. You can find more data in phase 3: table 46.

The most common reasons given by mothers for why they had started giving their baby solid foods were because:

• they thought it was the right time (66%)
• their baby was able to sit up and hold food (57%)
• they were following NHS guidance (43%)

Table 9.1: the reason you gave your baby solid foods

Response	Proportion of mothers
Doctor, health visitor or other health professional advised me to	24%
Friend or relative advised me to	9%
Read leaflets or saw information that advised me to	19%
Followed guidance from the NHS website, including Start for Life	43%
Previous experience (with another baby)	27%
My baby not satisfied with milk	14%
My baby not gaining enough weight	3%
My baby waking up during the night	7%
My baby able to sit up and hold food in their hand	57%
I thought it was the right time	66%
For other reasons	3%
Don’t know	<0.5%

Base: all mothers answering who have ever fed their baby food other than breast milk and infant formula at phase 3 (3,517 mothers). Multiple responses allowed.

Types and frequency of solid foods

UK guidance recommends that solid foods should be introduced to an infant when they are around 6 months old and suggests that an infant’s first foods could be single vegetables and fruits. This should include those that are not sweet, for example broccoli, cauliflower and spinach.

From around 6 months, foods containing allergens can also be introduced. These should be introduced one at a time, in small amounts. Initially, most of an infant’s energy and nutrients will still come from breast milk or first infant formula. From 7 to 9 months, the amount and variety of food offered should gradually increase. Food that contains iron should be included with each meal.

First type of solid food

Findings in this section are from phase 3: questions 42 to 44. You can find more data in phase 3: tables 47 to 49.

At phase 3 of the survey, when babies were between 8 and 10 months old and nearly all had started solid foods, mothers were asked about the first type of solid food given to their baby. They were also asked whether the food was pureed, mashed or given as a finger food, and whether it was homemade or a bought baby food.

The most common first foods were:

• vegetables, given by 39% of mothers
• a mixture of vegetables and fruit, given by 24% of mothers
• baby rice, given by 19% of mothers

Figure 9.2: first type of solid food given to your baby

Food	Proportion of mothers
Vegetables	39%
Fruit	12%
Mixture of vegetables and fruit	24%
Baby rice	19%
Cereal or porridge (see note)	4%
Any other food	2%

Base: all mothers who have ever fed their baby food other than breast milk and infant formula at phase 3 (3,477 mothers).

Note: this response was added following grouping of ‘any other food (please specify)’ free text responses.

At phase 3, there were some differences by subgroup for the first type of solid food given.

The following subgroups were more likely to have given their baby vegetables as their first solid food:

• mothers aged 30 to 34 (46%) and 35 years and over (46%), compared with those aged 20 to 24 (23%)
• mothers from a White ethnic background (46%), compared with Black mothers (13%)
• mothers living in the least deprived areas (56%), compared with those in the most deprived areas (23%)
• first-time mothers (42%), compared with mothers who had other children (36%)

The following subgroups were more likely to have given their baby fruit as their first solid food:

• mothers from an Asian (19%), Black (27%) or Other ethnic group (28%), compared with those from White ethnic backgrounds (7%)
• mothers living in the most deprived areas (14%), compared with those in the least deprived areas (8%)

The following subgroups were more likely to have given their infant baby rice as their first solid food:

• mothers aged 20 to 24 (28%), compared with those aged 35 years and over (18%)
• mothers from the most deprived areas (24%), compared with those from the least deprived areas (13%)
• mothers from an Asian background (25%), compared with those from White ethnic backgrounds (17%)

Mashed, pureed and finger foods

Most mothers (80%) gave their baby mashed or pureed food as a first food. Around 1 in 5 (19%) gave finger foods as a first food. The remaining 1% did not know or could not remember.

There were few differences by subgroup:

• mothers from a White ethnic background (22%) were more likely to give a finger food as the first food compared with those from a Black background (7%)
• mothers living in the least deprived areas (26%) were more likely to have given the first food as a finger food compared with those living in the most deprived areas (13%)

Homemade and shop bought food

Around 7 in 10 mothers (69%) reported that their baby’s first solid food was food made at home. Three in 10 (30%) mothers had given a baby food bought from a shop as their baby’s first food.

The following subgroups were more likely to have given their baby a first food made at home:

• mothers aged 30 to 34 years (74%) and 35 years and over (75%), compared with those aged 20 to 24 years (57%)
• mothers living in the least deprived areas (79%), compared with those living in the most deprived areas (59%)

The following subgroups were more likely to have given their baby a first food bought from a shop:

• mothers aged 20 to 24 years (42%) and 25 to 29 years (36%), compared with those aged 30 to 34 years and 35 years and over (both 25%)
• mothers living in the most deprived areas (40%), compared with those living in the least deprived areas (21%)

Regularity of providing shop bought infant meals or snacks

Findings in this section are from phase 3: question 47. You can find more data in phase 3: tables 78 and 79.

At phase 3, mothers were asked how often their baby had baby meals or baby snacks bought from a shop.

Nearly two-thirds (63%) of babies had baby meals bought from a shop at least weekly, 17% had them every day and 22% never had them.

Nearly three-quarters (74%) of babies had baby snacks bought from a shop at least weekly, 20% had them every day and 18% never had them.

Figure 9.3: how often your baby has the following types of foods

Frequency	Baby meals bought from a shop	Baby snacks bought from a shop
Every day	17%	20%
5 to 6 days per week	10%	14%
2 to 4 days per week	25%	30%
Once a week	11%	10%
Less than once a week	15%	9%
Never	22%	18%

Base: all mothers answering who have ever fed their baby solid food at phase 3 - baby meals bought from a shop (3,515 mothers), baby snacks bought from a shop (3,514 mothers).

The data showed some variation by ethnicity. White mothers were more likely to give their infant baby meals and baby snacks bought from a shop than all other ethnic groups. For example, 30% of Asian mothers and 41% of Black mothers never gave shop bought baby meals compared with 17% of White mothers.

Regularity of providing mashed, pureed or finger foods

Findings in this section are from phase 3: question 48. You can find more data in phase 3: tables 80 and 81.

Mothers were asked how often they gave their baby mashed, pureed or finger foods.

At phase 3 of the survey, 50% of mothers were giving their baby mashed or pureed foods daily, 89% were giving them at least weekly and 5% of mothers were never giving them.

Finger foods were given to babies daily by 57% of mothers and at least weekly by 91%. Around 1 in 20 mothers (6%) never gave finger foods.

Figure 9.4: how often your baby has the following types of food, either shop bought or homemade

Frequency	Mashed or pureed foods	Finger foods
Every day	50%	57%
5 to 6 days per week	14%	14%
2 to 4 days per week	20%	16%
Once a week	6%	4%
Less than once a week	6%	3%
Never	5%	6%

Base: all mothers answering who have ever fed their baby solid food at phase 3 - mashed or pureed foods (3,514 mothers), finger foods (3,515 mothers).

The following subgroups were more likely to have never given their baby finger foods:

• mothers from Asian (15%), Black (12%) or an Other ethnic group (16%), compared with 2% of White mothers
• mothers living in the most deprived areas (10%), compared with those living in the least deprived areas (2%)

Age when baby first tried different types of solid foods

UK guidance on introducing foods that could trigger an allergic reaction advises the foods should be introduced one at a time and in very small amounts. These foods can be introduced from around 6 months as part of a baby’s diet, just like any other foods. Once introduced, and if tolerated, these foods should become part of a baby’s usual diet to minimise the risk of allergy.

Findings in this section are from phase 3: question 45. You can find more data in phase 3: tables 50 to 56.

At phase 3 of the survey, mothers were asked how old their baby was when they first had common potentially allergenic foods, which were eggs, nuts and sesame. Of these:

• 84% had been given eggs
• 51% had been given nuts
• 39% had been given sesame

Babies were most commonly aged 6 to 8 months when they first had these foods, although 9% of babies had eggs before they were 6 months old.

Mothers were also asked how old their baby was when they first had foods containing protein and iron. More than 4 in 5 babies (82%) had been given poultry. Slightly fewer had been given:

• beans, pulses, lentils or meat alternatives (75%)
• fish (72%)
• red meat (67%)

Babies were most commonly aged 6 to 8 months when they first had these foods.

Table 9.2: age of your baby when they first had the following foods

Food	Under 4 months	4 to 6 months	6 to 8 months	8 to 10 months	Over 10 months	My baby has never had this food
Eggs	<0.5%	9%	68%	6%	<0.5%	16%
Nuts (including peanuts)	<0.5%	5%	41%	4%	<0.5%	49%
Sesame (including hummus or seeds on or in bread)	0%	3%	32%	4%	<0.5%	61%
Red meat (such as beef, lamb or pork)	0%	4%	56%	7%	<0.5%	33%
Poultry (such as chicken or turkey)	<0.5%	5%	69%	8%	<0.5%	18%
Fish	<0.5%	4%	60%	7%	<0.5%	28%
Beans, pulses, lentils, or meat alternatives (such as soya protein)	<0.5%	6%	63%	5%	<0.5%	25%

Base: all mothers answering who have ever fed their baby solid food (phase 3, bases vary dependent on food type).

There were some subgroup differences relating to deprivation and ethnicity:

• mothers from an Asian background were less likely than mothers overall to have introduced all food types apart from beans, pulses, lentils or meat alternatives
• mothers from Black backgrounds were less likely than mothers overall, and mothers from White or Mixed or Multiple ethnic groups, to have introduced nuts, sesame and red meat
• mothers living in the least deprived areas were more likely than those living in the most deprived areas to have introduced each food type

Types and frequency of food given

Findings in this section are from phase 3: question 46. You can find more data in phase 3: tables 57 to 77.

At phase 3, when babies were aged 8 to 10 months, mothers who had given their baby solid foods were asked how often they gave their baby different types of food.

Vegetables (61%) and fruit (60%) were the most common foods given every day, followed by breakfast cereals (42%).

The following foods were given at least once a week by the majority of mothers:

• rice or pasta (81%)
• cheese, yoghurt and fromage frais (80%)
• potatoes and potato products (73%)
• crisps and corn snacks (69%)
• eggs (66%)
• chicken (66%)
• fish (52%)

Fewer mothers gave beef (39%), pork (16%) and lamb (13%) at least once a week.

The most common types of foods never given to babies were:

• tofu, Quorn or textured vegetable protein (never given by 80% of mothers)
• biscuits, sweets, chocolate or cake (never given by 65% of mothers)

Table 9.3: how often your baby has each of the following foods

Food	Every day	5 to 6 days per week	2 to 4 days per week	Once a week	Less than once a week	Never
Breakfast cereals (including porridge)	42%	13%	24%	6%	6%	9%
Rice or pasta	5%	7%	47%	21%	10%	9%
Bread	6%	10%	34%	15%	13%	22%
Potatoes, potato products (including chips, waffles, shapes), not including sweet potato	3%	7%	42%	20%	14%	13%
Butter or margarine and other spreads	4%	6%	25%	13%	16%	36%
Beef	<0.5%	1%	15%	23%	25%	36%
Lamb	<0.5%	<0.5%	4%	10%	28%	59%
Pork (including ham)	<0.5%	<0.5%	5%	11%	26%	58%
Chicken or other poultry	1%	4%	37%	25%	16%	18%
Fish (including tuna)	1%	1%	22%	28%	20%	28%
Puddings or desserts	10%	4%	18%	8%	12%	48%
Biscuits, sweets, chocolate or cakes	2%	2%	10%	8%	13%	65%
Tofu, Quorn, textured vegetable protein	1%	1%	5%	4%	8%	80%
Cheese, yoghurt, fromage frais	20%	17%	33%	10%	6%	14%
Crisps and corn snacks (including baby snacks)	14%	13%	32%	10%	8%	23%
Fruit	60%	18%	17%	3%	1%	1%
Eggs	3%	5%	36%	22%	14%	20%
Beans, lentils, chickpeas	2%	5%	30%	23%	18%	23%
Vegetables	61%	19%	13%	3%	1%	2%
Nuts (including peanuts)	2%	3%	17%	15%	14%	49%

Base: all mothers answering who have ever fed their baby solid food at phase 3 (3,511 mothers).

There were some differences between subgroups. For example, mothers living in the least deprived areas were more likely to have given vegetables (76%) and fruit (68%) every day than those living in the most deprived areas (47% and 52%).

Specific practices

Use of milk to mix up food

UK guidance on a baby’s first solid foods states that cows’ milk can be used in cooking or mixed with food from around 6 months. It should not be given as a main drink to babies until they are 12 months old.

Findings in this section are from phase 3: question 49. You can find more data in phase 3: table 82.

At phase 3, 78% of mothers who had given solid foods used milk to mix up their baby’s food. Of mothers who had used milk, cows’ milk (37%) and infant formula (37%) were most commonly used. Fewer mothers used breast milk (11%) or a plant-based drink (6%) in their baby’s food.

Table 9.4: milk you usually use to mix up your baby’s food

Milk used	Proportion of mothers
Infant formula	37%
Cows’ milk	37%
Breast milk	11%
Follow on formula	8%
Oat drink	5%
Almond drink	<0.5%
Soya drink	1%
Other plant-based drink	<0.5%
Another type of milk (such as goats’ milk or sheep’s milk)	<0.5%

Base: all mothers answering who used milk to mix up their baby’s food at phase 3 (2,694 mothers).

Use of salt

Findings in this section are from phase 3: question 50. You can find more data in phase 3: table 83.

UK guidance on a baby’s first solid foods states that babies do not need salt added to their food or cooking water. This also includes stock cubes or gravy as both can be high in salt.

At phase 3, the majority (86%) of mothers said they never added salt to their baby’s food. Around 1 in 10 (12%) added salt sometimes and 2% regularly added salt to their baby’s food.

The following subgroups were more likely to have added salt to their baby’s food:

• mothers from a Black (36%), Other ethnic (30%) or Asian (30%) background, compared with White mothers (7%) and mothers overall (14%)
• mothers living in the most deprived areas (19%), compared with mothers living in the least deprived areas (7%) and mothers overall (14%)

Types of diet

Findings in this section are from phase 3: questions 51 and 52. You can find more data in phase 3: tables 84 and 85.

At phase 3, the majority (88%) of mothers were not feeding their baby a special diet. Of those who were, the diets given to babies were:

• vegetarian (5%)
• pescatarian - does not include meat but does include fish (2%)
• vegan (1%)
• dairy-free (1%)
• halal (1%)
• another type of diet (1%)

Mothers were also asked if they followed a specific diet themselves. Overall, 10% of mothers said they did. This included:

• vegetarian (6%)
• pescatarian (3%)
• vegan (1%)
• dairy-free (1%)
• halal (1%)
• another type of diet (1%)

Avoiding specific foods

Findings in this section are from phase 3: question 53. You can find more data in phase 3: tables 86 and 87.

At phase 3 of the survey, mothers who were feeding their baby solid foods were asked if they were intentionally avoiding giving their baby solid foods with particular ingredients. Mothers gave free-text responses, which were grouped for analysis.

Around half of mothers (53%) were not intentionally avoiding specific foods or ingredients. Among those that did intentionally avoid specific foods or ingredients, the most common foods or ingredients avoided were:

• processed foods (50%)
• dairy and eggs (23%)
• honey (20%)
• nuts and seeds (21%)

Eating peanuts and eggs

UK guidance on food allergies in babies and young children states that there is no need to avoid eating peanuts when pregnant or breastfeeding. Pregnant and breastfeeding women should only avoid eating peanuts if advised to do so by a healthcare professional or if they have a nut allergy.

This guidance also states that foods that can trigger allergic reactions (including nuts and eggs) can be introduced from around 6 months as part of a baby’s diet like any other foods. Once introduced and if tolerated, these foods should become part of a baby’s usual diet to minimise the risk of allergy.

At phase 3, mothers were asked questions about whether:

• they had eaten peanuts during pregnancy and while breastfeeding
• their baby had eaten peanuts and eggs
• eating peanuts and eggs was influenced by a family history of allergies or had resulted in an allergic reaction

Eating peanuts during pregnancy and while breastfeeding

Findings in this section are from phase 3: questions 57 and 58. You can find more data in phase 3: tables 92 to 94.

Nearly three-quarters (72%) of mothers said they ate peanuts or products containing peanuts during pregnancy. Among the remaining mothers:

• 11% did not like peanuts
• 7% actively avoided peanuts
• 1% said they were allergic to peanuts
• 9% did not know or could not remember if they had eaten peanuts during pregnancy

The following subgroups were more likely to have eaten peanuts during pregnancy:

• mothers aged 30 to 34 years (77%) and 35 years and over (83%), compared with those aged 20 to 24 years (55%) and 25 to 29 years (63%)
• mothers from a White background (74%), compared with mothers from an Asian background (64%)
• mothers living in the least deprived areas (81%), compared with mothers living in the most deprived areas (61%)

Of mothers who breastfed, 66% ate peanuts or products containing peanuts while breastfeeding. Almost 1 in 10 mothers (8%) actively avoided them, 12% did not like them and 2% said they were allergic to peanuts. A further 12% did not know or could not remember if they had eaten peanuts while breastfeeding.

The following subgroups were more likely to have consumed peanuts while breastfeeding:

• older mothers, for example mothers aged 35 and over (78%), compared with mothers aged 20 to 24 (42%)
• mothers from a Black (72%) or White background (67%), compared with those from an Asian background (60%)
• mothers living in the least deprived areas (76%), compared with mothers living in the most deprived areas (55%)

Introducing peanuts to babies

Findings in this section are from phase 3: question 59. You can find more data in phase 3: table 95.

At phase 3 of the survey, around half of mothers (48%) said their baby had eaten peanuts or products containing peanuts. Nearly all of these mothers (47% overall) reported no reaction and 1% said their baby had a reaction they thought could be allergic.

Of mothers overall:

• 43% had not offered peanuts
• 4% said their baby had not eaten peanuts because they were concerned about a possible allergy
• 1% said their baby had not eaten peanuts because there was a family history of peanut allergy

The following subgroups were more likely to have introduced peanuts or products containing peanuts to their infant:

• mothers aged 30 to 34 years (57%) and 35 and over (56%), compared with mothers aged 20 to 24 years (28%)
• mothers from White (54%) or Mixed or Multiple backgrounds (59%), compared with mothers from Asian backgrounds (31%)
• mothers living in the least deprived areas (67%), compared with mothers living in the most deprived areas (31%)
• first-time mothers (52%), compared with mothers who had other children (43%)

Introducing eggs to babies

Findings in this section are from phase 3: question 60. You can find more data in phase 3: table 96.

Overall, 84% of infants had eaten eggs or products containing eggs.

The majority of these babies (79% overall) had no reaction. However, 3% had a reaction that their mother thought could have been an allergic reaction, and 2% had an allergic reaction that was diagnosed by a health professional.

Overall, 12% of mothers had not offered eggs to their baby, and 1% had not offered them because they were concerned about a possible allergy.

The following subgroups were more likely to have introduced eggs or products containing eggs to their infant:

• mothers aged 30 to 34 years (89%), compared with mothers aged 20 to 24 years (79%), mothers aged 25 to 29 years (82%) and mothers aged 35 years and over (84%)
• mothers from White backgrounds (88%), compared with mothers from Asian backgrounds (73%) and Other ethnic backgrounds (70%)
• mothers living in the least deprived areas (90%), compared with mothers living in the most deprived areas (78%)

Table 9.5: products containing peanuts or eggs your baby has eaten

Response	Peanuts or products containing peanuts	Eggs or foods containing eggs
Yes, and they had no reaction	47%	79%
Yes, and they had an allergic reaction diagnosed by a health professional	<0.5%	2%
Yes, and they had a reaction that I think could be an allergic reaction	1%	3%
No, I’m concerned they could be allergic	4%	1%
No, they have not been offered	43%	12%
No, they have been diagnosed with a peanut or egg allergy by a health professional	<0.5%	<0.5%
No, there is a family history of an allergy to peanuts or eggs	1%	<0.5%
Don’t know or can’t remember	3%	2%
Net: yes	48%	84%
Net: no	48%	14%

Base: all mothers at phase 3 (3,542 mothers).

Information on introducing solid foods

Findings in this section are from phase 3: questions 54 to 56. You can find more data in phase 3: tables 88 to 91.

At phase 3, mothers were asked if they had been given any information about when to start giving their baby solid foods, and what types to give.

Around three-quarters of mothers (74%) reported having been given information about when to introduce solid foods. Around 18% said they had not been given this information, and the remaining 9% were not sure.

Around two-thirds (68%) of mothers said they had been given information on the types of solid foods to give their baby, while around a quarter (23%) had not. The remaining 9% were not sure.

There were few differences by subgroup. Mothers who already had children were less likely to have been given information about when to introduce solid foods (68%) and what types of foods to introduce (62%) than first-time mothers (77% and 72%, respectively).

Mothers were also asked where they received information from about beginning to give solid foods to their baby. The most common sources were:

• NHS websites, such as Start for Life (54%)
• a health professional (39%)
• from another website (35%)
• a partner, friend or relative (34%)

Table 9.6: source of information about beginning to give solid foods to your baby

Source	Proportion of mothers
From NHS websites such as Start for Life	54%
Health professional (midwife, health visitor, GP)	39%
Online - other website	35%
Partner, friend or relative	34%
Online - social media, discussion forum or video sharing platform	32%
Books, leaflets, magazines or newspapers	27%
SureStart Centre, children’s centre, children’s health clinic or family hub	27%
Baby food manufacturer - website or mailings	11%
Infant feeding support group	7%
Peer supporter (a mum who has breastfed themselves and been trained to give support to other mums)	7%
Television (including streaming services)	3%
From elsewhere	3%
Voluntary or charitable organisation	1%
Radio (including podcasts or audio streaming services)	1%
National Breastfeeding Helpline	<0.5%
Don’t know or can’t remember	5%

Base: all mothers answering who received information about giving their baby solid food at phase 3 (3,196 mothers). Multiple responses allowed.

10. Feeding infants in public

This chapter explores experiences of feeding an infant in public. During phase 2 and phase 3 of the survey, mothers were asked about their experiences of breastfeeding or bottle feeding their infants in front of a relative or friend at home, or in a public place such as a cafe or shopping centre. Mothers who had breastfed were asked to identify their preferences when feeding in a public place and whether they had been put off or discouraged from doing so.

Awareness of legislation around breastfeeding is also covered in this chapter. The Equality Act 2010 protects mothers’ rights to breastfeed their infants in public, stating that it is sex discrimination to treat a woman unfavourably if they are breastfeeding. It applies to anyone providing services, benefits, facilities and premises to the public, public bodies, further and higher education bodies and associations. Service providers, which includes most organisations that deal directly with the public, must not discriminate, harass or victimise a woman because she is breastfeeding.

Findings in this chapter are presented for phase 2 when babies were between 4 and 7 months. Findings at phase 3 were broadly consistent.

Feeding infants in front of others

Findings in this section are from phase 2: question 62 and phase 3: question 66. You can find more data in phase 2: tables 74 and 75 and phase 3: tables 105 and 106.

Mothers were asked whether they had ever felt uncomfortable feeding their baby in front of others, in their own home and in public places.

When breastfeeding, a third (33%) of mothers at phase 2 had felt uncomfortable feeding their baby in front of others in public and 12% had felt uncomfortable doing this in their own home. In comparison, 1 in 10 (11%) had felt uncomfortable feeding from the bottle in public places and 7% had felt uncomfortable bottle feeding at home.

Figure 10.1: mothers feeling uncomfortable feeding their baby in front of others

Response	Feeding from the breast	Feeding from the bottle
Yes, in my own home	12%	7%
Yes, in public places	33%	11%
No	42%	64%
Not applicable	22%	23%

Base: all phase 2 mothers who responded about feeding from the breast (4,954 mothers) and feeding from the bottle (4,900 mothers). Multiple responses were allowed.

At phase 2, the pattern of experience when feeding in front of others was similar across subgroups except by ethnicity where:

• 19% of mothers from Asian ethnic groups felt uncomfortable breastfeeding their baby in front of others in their own home, compared with 12% of mothers overall
• 41% of mothers from Asian ethnic groups felt uncomfortable breastfeeding their baby in front of others in public places, compared with 33% of mothers overall

Experience of feeding in public

Findings in this section are from phase 2: question 63 and phase 3: question 67. You can find more data in phase 2: table 76 and phase 3: table 107.

Mothers were asked if they had ever fed their baby in a public place.

At phase 2, almost all mothers (96%) had experience of doing so. Of these:

• 33% had only breastfed
• 38% had only bottle fed
• 25% had both breastfed and bottle fed

At phase 2, the most notable difference in experience of feeding in public was the higher proportion of Asian mothers (14%) who had never fed their baby in a public place, compared with 4% of mothers overall.

Experience of breastfeeding in a public place

Findings in this section are from phase 2: question 64. You can find more data in phase 2: table 77.

At phase 2 only, mothers who had experience of breastfeeding in public were asked where they preferred to feed their baby. Their responses were:

• 47% preferred to breastfeed where they were, but would look for a quiet place to sit
• 21% preferred to breastfeed where they were without looking for a quiet place to sit
• 21% preferred to use a mother and baby room (a designated space that includes private areas to feed infants) when breastfeeding in a public place
• 11% did not have a preference

Asian mothers were less likely to breastfeed their baby in a public place. However, of those that did, the availability of a mother and baby room was particularly important to this group. Nearly half (49%) said that they would prefer to use a facility such as this, compared with 13% of White mothers. A mother and baby room was also the preferred location for breastfeeding in public for mothers from Other ethnic groups (42%).

There were other differences by subgroup in mothers’ preferences when feeding their baby in a public place:

• mothers living in the most deprived areas (31%) preferred to use a mother and baby room, compared with mothers living in the least deprived areas (15%)
• mothers living in the least deprived areas (26%) preferred to breastfeed where they were without going to a quiet place to sit, compared with 14% of mothers living in the most deprived areas

Finding somewhere to breastfeed in a public place

Findings in this section are from phase 2: question 65 and phase 3: question 68. You can find more data in phase 2: table 78 and phase 3: table 108.

At phase 2, 43% of mothers who had experience of breastfeeding in a public place had encountered problems finding somewhere to breastfeed.

Asian mothers (55%) and mothers from Mixed or Multiple ethnic groups (60%) were most likely to report having a problem finding somewhere to breastfeed their baby in public, compared with mothers overall (43%).

First-time mothers (46%) were more likely to encounter problems finding somewhere to breastfeed than mothers who had other children (41%).

Being stopped or made to feel uncomfortable when breastfeeding in a public place

Findings in this section are from phase 2: question 66 and phase 3: question 69. You can find more data in phase 2: table 79 and phase 3: table 109.

At phase 2, 11% of mothers who had breastfed in a public place reported having been stopped or made to feel uncomfortable.

Findings were broadly consistent across subgroups at phase 2.

Factors discouraging breastfeeding in a public place

Findings in this section are from phase 2: question 67 and phase 3: question 70. You can find more data in phase 2: table 80 and phase 3: table 110.

Mothers who had breastfed in a public place were asked to identify reasons that had put them off or discouraged them from doing so.

At phase 2, 60% of mothers who had breastfed in a public place reported that at least one of the issues listed in figure 10.2 had discouraged them from doing so.

The most common reason identified by mothers was a lack of available, suitable places to feed their baby (37%). Other common reasons included:

• lack of confidence (24%)
• concerns about hygiene in public places (21%)
• babies not feeding when they tried (20%)
• being made to feel uncomfortable by other people (15%)

Figure 10.2: what has put mothers off or discouraged them from breastfeeding in a public place

Response	Proportion of mothers
Not feeling confident enough	24%
Being stopped or asked not to breastfeed	3%
Being made to feel uncomfortable by other people	15%
Lack of suitable places available to breastfeed	37%
Concerns about hygiene in public places	21%
Baby won’t always feed when you try	20%
Other reasons	3%
I have not been put off or discouraged from breastfeeding in a public place	40%
Net: put off or discouraged	60%

Base: all mothers who have breastfed in a public place at phase 2 (3,340 mothers). Multiple responses allowed.

Note: net includes all mothers answering who indicated they had been put off or discouraged.

At phase 2, first-time mothers (63%) were more likely than mothers who had other children (56%) to mention something that had discouraged them from breastfeeding in public.

There were also differences by ethnicity, with Black mothers (37%) less likely to report that they had been discouraged from breastfeeding in public compared with mothers overall (60%).

Asian mothers (43%) and mothers from Mixed or Multiple ethnic groups (52%) were more likely to raise issues about the lack of suitable places available to breastfeed compared with mothers overall (37%). Asian mothers (26%) were also more likely to raise concerns about hygiene in public places compared with mothers overall (21%).

Wanting to breastfeed in a public place

Findings in this section are from phase 2: questions 68 and 69 and phase 3: questions 71 and 72. You can find more data in phase 2: tables 81 and 82 and phase 3: tables 111 and 112.

At phase 2, around 1 in 10 mothers (12%) who had not breastfed in a public place said they wanted to or had tried to.

Findings were consistent across subgroups, with the exception of ethnicity. Black mothers (25%) who had not breastfed in a public place were more likely to say they wanted to or had tried to than White mothers (11%).

Among mothers who had not breastfed in public but had wanted to or tried to, the most common reasons were:

• not feeling confident enough (42%)
• a lack of suitable places to breastfeed (32%)

Figure 10.3: reasons for not breastfeeding baby in a public place

Response	Proportion of mothers
Not feeling confident enough	42%
Being stopped or asked not to breastfeed	4%
Being made to feel uncomfortable by other people	18%
Lack of suitable places available to breastfeed	32%
Concerns about hygiene in public places	16%
Baby won’t always feed when you try	24%
For other reasons	25%
Don’t know	9%

Base: all mothers answering who have not breastfed in a public place but wanted to, at phase 2 (225 mothers). Multiple responses allowed.

Further analysis by subgroups was not possible for this question because of a small base size.

Awareness of legislation

Findings in this section are from phase 2: question 70. You can find more data in phase 2: table 83.

At phase 2, all mothers were asked about their awareness of legislation protecting the right to breastfeed in public.

More mothers were aware of the legislation protecting their right to breastfeed (56%) than not (44%).

Awareness of legislation protecting the right to breastfeed in public was higher among mothers living in the least deprived areas (60%) compared with those living in the most deprived areas (51%).

White mothers (63%) were more likely to be aware of the legislation compared with mothers from all other ethnic backgrounds.

11. Healthy Start

The government introduced the Healthy Start scheme in 2006. It operates across England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

The scheme helps to encourage a healthy diet for pregnant women, infants and young children 3 years and under from very low-income households. Families who qualify for the scheme can apply for a prepaid card to buy specific items, including:

• fresh or frozen fruit and vegetables
• pulses
• milk
• infant formula

Eligible families can also get free Healthy Start vitamins for women and children.

To be eligible for the Healthy Start scheme at the time the survey was carried out, women must have been pregnant or have a child aged 3 years and under. They must also have been claiming one of the following benefits:

• Income Support
• income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
• Child Tax Credit, with an annual family income equal to or less than £16,190
• Universal Credit, with a household or family monthly take-home pay of £408 or less
• Pension Credit
• income-related Employment and Support Allowance - for pregnant women only

Anyone aged 17 or under and pregnant was also eligible for Healthy Start, regardless of whether they received any of the above benefits. However, once they had given birth, they needed to meet the benefit criteria to continue receiving Healthy Start.

Across the 3 phases, mothers were first given a description of the Healthy Start scheme and then asked questions about their awareness (phase 1 only), eligibility and use. Results for awareness, eligibility and registration are reported for phase 1, and use is reported at all phases.

Awareness of Healthy Start

Findings in this section are from phase 1: question 26. You can find more data in phase 1: table 27.

Around half (52%) of mothers who responded at phase 1, when infants were between 2 and 5 months, were already aware of the Healthy Start scheme before taking part in the survey.

Mothers living in the most deprived areas were more likely to have said they were aware of the Healthy Start scheme (59%) than mothers living in the least deprived areas (46%).

Mothers from White ethnic groups (56%) and Mixed or Multiple ethnic groups (55%) were more likely to be aware of the Healthy Start scheme than mothers from Asian ethnic groups (45%), Other ethnic groups (40%) and Black ethnic groups (38%).

Eligibility for Healthy Start

Findings in this section are from phase 1: question 27, phase 2: question 31 and phase 3: question 27. You can find more data in phase 1: table 28, phase 2: table 33 and phase 3: table 29.

When asked if they were eligible for the Healthy Start scheme at phase 1, around 1 in 6 mothers (16%) said that they were. The majority (68%) were not eligible and 16% were unsure either way.

Eligibility for the Healthy Start scheme was higher among mothers in the youngest age groups. Nearly two-thirds (65%) of mothers aged 16 to 19 years and 36% of those aged 20 to 24 years were eligible for the scheme, compared with 16% of mothers overall.

Mothers from Other ethnic groups (30%) were more likely to say they were eligible, compared with all other groups. However, around 3 in 10 mothers from Black ethnic groups (32%), Asian ethnic groups (32%) and Other ethnic groups (28%) were unsure of their eligibility for the scheme.

More than a quarter (28%) of mothers living in the most deprived areas said they were eligible for the Healthy Start scheme.

Healthy Start registration

Findings in this section are from phase 1: question 28, phase 2: question 32 and phase 3: question 28. You can find more data in phase 1: table 29, phase 2: table 34 and phase 3: table 30.

Among those who were eligible for Healthy Start at phase 1, 56% had registered for the scheme. Nearly 4 in 10 (38%) had not registered despite being eligible.

In line with eligibility, mothers who registered for the Healthy Start scheme were more likely to be in the younger age groups. Around 75% of mothers aged 16 to 19 years and 68% of those aged 20 to 24 years registered for the scheme. This compared with 47% of mothers aged 30 to 34 years and 47% of those aged 35 years and over.

Eligible mothers living in the most deprived areas (60%) were also more likely to be registered for the scheme than those living in the least deprived areas (47%).

Eligible mothers from Black ethnic groups (34%), Asian ethnic groups (31%) and Other ethnic groups (32%) were less likely to have registered for the scheme. This compared with around two-thirds of mothers from White ethnic groups (67%) and Mixed or Multiple ethnic groups (63%).

Using the Healthy Start prepaid card

Findings in this section are from phase 1: question 29, phase 2: question 33 and phase 3: question 29. You can find more data in phase 1: table 30, phase 2: table 35 and phase 3: table 31.

Across all 3 phases, mothers registered for the Healthy Start scheme were asked about the types of items they bought with their prepaid card.

At phase 1, when infants were 2 to 5 months old, the Healthy Start card was most often used to buy infant formula based on cows’ milk (66%). This was consistent at phase 2 (63%) and remained high at phase 3 (59%).

As babies got older, more mothers used their card to buy fruit (50% at phase 1, 56% at phase 2 and 72% at phase 3) and vegetables (48% at phase 1, 54% at phase 2 and 69% at phase 3).

Just under half used their card for cows’ milk across all 3 phases of the survey (42% at phase 1, 43% at phase 2 and 41% at phase 3).

Across all 3 phases, between 10% and 16% of mothers used their Healthy Start card to buy pulses or other products.

Figure 11.1: products bought using a Healthy Start prepaid card

Product	Proportion of mothers at phase 1	Proportion of mothers at phase 2	Proportion of mothers at phase 3
Cows’ milk	42%	43%	41%
Vegetables (fresh, frozen or tinned)	48%	54%	69%
Fruit (fresh, frozen or tinned)	50%	56%	72%
Pulses (fresh, dried or tinned)	10%	10%	15%
Infant formula based on cows’ milk	66%	63%	59%
Other products	10%	10%	16%

Base: all mothers answering who were registered for the Healthy Start scheme at phase 1 (724 mothers), at phase 2 (273 mothers) and at phase 3 (155 mothers). Multiple responses allowed.

The pattern of Healthy Start prepaid card purchases at phase 1 varied by ethnicity. Mothers from Black ethnic groups were more likely to have bought vegetables (68%), fruit (62%) and pulses (18%), compared with mothers overall, of whom:

• 48% bought vegetables
• 50% bought fruit
• 10% bought pulses

Small subgroup numbers do not allow analysis of the data by ethnicity in later phases.

Not using the Healthy Start prepaid card

Findings in this section are from phase 1: question 30, phase 2: question 34 and phase 3: question 30. You can find more data in phase 1: table 31, phase 2: table 36 and phase 3: table 32.

Around 1 in 10 mothers registered for the Healthy Start scheme had not used their prepaid cards at phase 1 (9%) and phase 2 (8%). At phase 3, less than 1 in 20 (3%) had not used them.

At phase 1, first-time mothers were less likely to have used their card (13% had not used it) than mothers who already had children (7%).

The main reason given for not using the card at phase 1 and phase 2 was that the mothers were waiting to receive their card (26% at each phase).

Small numbers prevented analysis of the data at phase 3.

Using Healthy Start vitamins

Findings in this section are from phase 1: question 32, phase 2: question 36 and phase 3: question 32. You can find more data in phase 1: table 33, phase 2: tables 38 and 39 and phase 3: table 34.

All mothers who qualify for Healthy Start are entitled to free vitamin drops for their infants. Healthy Start vitamins are also available to buy.

In all 3 phases of the survey, mothers who gave their babies vitamin drops were asked whether they used free Healthy Start vitamins, shop bought vitamins or prescription vitamins.

At phase 1:

• 19% had bought Healthy Start vitamins
• 17% received Healthy Start vitamins for free
• 46% bought other vitamins
• 5% received vitamins on prescription
• 11% got vitamin drops in other ways

These findings were broadly consistent across phases 2 and 3.

12. Vitamin and mineral supplements

This chapter covers 2 areas of vitamin and supplement use:

• giving extra vitamins to infants
• vitamins and other supplements taken by mothers before and during pregnancy and after birth

We included the same questions on mothers’ experience of taking vitamin or mineral supplements and using baby vitamin drops across all phases of the survey. Questions on the use of folic acid or other supplements before and during pregnancy were only included at phase 1.

Infant use of vitamin drops by breastfeeding status

UK guidance on vitamins for children recommends that infants who are being breastfed should be given a daily vitamin D supplement from birth, whether or not the mother is taking a supplement containing vitamin D.

From 6 months, daily supplements of vitamins A, C and D are recommended for all infants, except those who are having more than 500 millilitres (ml) of infant formula a day. Infants having more than 500ml of infant formula a day should not be given vitamin supplements. This is because formula is already fortified with vitamins A, C and D and other nutrients.

Vitamins for infants are given as oral liquid drops.

Findings in this section are from phase 1: question 31, phase 2: question 35 and phase 3: question 31. You can find more data in phase 1: table 32, phase 2: table 37 and phase 3: table 33. At phase 1, 54% of mothers who were breastfeeding gave their infant vitamin D drops. This was 55% at phase 2 and 37% at phase 3

When their baby was 6 weeks old:

• 62% of mothers who were solely breastfeeding gave vitamin D drops
• 39% of mothers who were using a combination of breastfeeding and formula gave vitamin D drops
• 8% of mothers who were solely feeding their baby with infant formula gave vitamin D drops

Mothers’ use of vitamin and mineral supplements

UK guidance on folic acid and pregnancy is that women should take 400 micrograms of folic acid per day. They should start before they are pregnant or as soon as they find out they are pregnant. They should continue until the end of their first trimester (12 weeks). This is because folic acid can help prevent birth defects known as neural tube defects, including spina bifida.

Everyone, including pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers, is also encouraged to consider taking a vitamin D supplement between October and March to support keeping bones and muscles healthy. For context, these timings coincide with phase 1 of the survey, which took place between October 2023 and April 2024.

Women who qualify for the Healthy Start scheme are entitled to free vitamins while pregnant and up to their infant’s first birthday. The Healthy Start vitamins for women contain folic acid, vitamin C and vitamin D.

Across all 3 phases of the survey, mothers were asked if they were taking any vitamin or mineral supplements. This section covers:

• use of folic acid and other supplements during pregnancy
• supplement use after their baby was born

Use of folic acid before or during pregnancy

Findings in this section are from phase 1: question 41. You can find more data in phase 1: table 42. Mothers were asked at phase 1 about their use of folic acid supplements during pregnancy.

Around 2 in 5 (41%) took folic acid before they were pregnant, as shown in figure 12.1. This increased to 72% during the first 3 months of pregnancy. Around a third (35%) were taking folic acid later in their pregnancy. One in 20 (6%) did not take folic acid before or during their pregnancy.

Figure 12.1: folic acid use before or during your pregnancy

Statement	Proportion of mothers
Yes, before I was pregnant	41%
Yes, during the first 3 months of pregnancy	72%
Yes, later on in pregnancy	35%
No, I did not take folic acid	6%

Base: all mothers answering at phase 1 (10,161). Multiple responses allowed.

Mothers aged 20 to 24 years (11%) were more likely to have not taken folic acid before or during pregnancy than mothers aged 25 to 29 years (7%) and 30 to 34 years (4%). The proportion of mothers not taking folic acid was also higher for mothers living in the most deprived areas (9%) compared with mothers overall (6%).

Use of other vitamin and mineral supplements during pregnancy

Findings in this section are from phase 1: question 42. You can find more data in phase 1: table 43.

Most mothers (88%) took supplements other than folic acid while they were pregnant.

The supplements most likely to be taken were:

• multivitamins and iron combined (36%)
• vitamin D (23%)
• multivitamins only (22%)
• iron (18%)

Figure 12.2: supplements you took during pregnancy (other than folic acid)

Supplement	Proportion of mothers
Iron only	18%
Multivitamins only	22%
Multivitamins and iron combined	36%
Vitamin D supplements	23%
Healthy Start vitamins	5%
Other vitamin or mineral supplements	11%
I did not take any vitamin or mineral supplements when I was pregnant	12%

Base: all mothers answering at phase 1 (10,150 mothers). Multiple responses allowed.

Consistent with the findings on folic acid, younger mothers aged 20 to 24 years (21%) were more likely to not take any other vitamin or mineral supplements when they were pregnant, compared with mothers overall (12%). The use of other supplements was also lower among mothers living in the most deprived areas (15% did not take other supplements) and mothers who already had children (15%), compared with mothers overall (12%).

Asian mothers (91%), Black mothers (91%) and mothers from Other ethnic groups (95%) were more likely to take supplements other than folic acid, compared with 87% of White mothers.

Use of other vitamin and mineral supplements by mothers after their baby was born

Findings in this section are from phase 1: question 33, phase 2: question 37 and phase 3: question 33. You can find more data in phase 1: table 34, phase 2: tables 40 and 41 and phase 3: tables 36 and 37.

Around 3 in 5 mothers (58%) were taking some form of vitamin or mineral supplement at phase 1 of the survey (after their baby was born). The most common supplements were:

• vitamin D (20%)
• multivitamins and iron combined (17%)
• multivitamins only (17%)

At phase 2, when their baby was 4 to 7 months old, the proportion of mothers taking vitamin and mineral supplements was very similar to phase 1, with 56% taking some form of vitamin or mineral supplement.

As at phase 1, the most common supplement taken was vitamin D, followed by multivitamins only, and multivitamins and iron combined.

Figure 12.3: vitamin or mineral supplements you took yourself

Vitamin or mineral supplement	Proportion of mothers at phase 1	Proportion of mothers at phase 2	Proportion of mothers at phase 3
I am not taking any vitamin or mineral supplements	39%	42%	49%
Iron only	7%	6%	5%
Multivitamins only	17%	17%	16%
Multivitamins and iron combined	17%	16%	13%
Vitamin D supplements	20%	20%	16%
Healthy Start vitamins	4%	3%	3%
Other vitamin or mineral supplements	10%	9%	8%
Don’t know	3%	2%	3%
Net: yes	58%	56%	48%

Base: all mothers answering at phase 1 (10,153 mothers), at phase 2 (5,059 mothers) and at phase 3 (3, 540 mothers). Multiple responses allowed.

Note: net includes all mothers answering who took vitamin or mineral supplements.

There were some differences between subgroups in use of vitamin and mineral supplements.

Across all 3 phases of the survey, mothers aged 30 and over were more likely to take supplements than younger mothers.

At phase 1, Asian mothers (67%), Black mothers (67%) and mothers from Other ethnic groups (71%) were more likely to be taking supplements than White mothers (55%). These variations hold for Black mothers compared with White mothers at phase 2 and phase 3.

Mothers living in the least deprived areas were more likely to be taking supplements at Phase 1 (63%) and Phase 2 (58%), than those living in the most deprived areas (53% at phase 1 and 52% at phase 2).

The proportion of first-time mothers taking vitamin and mineral supplements was higher at phase 1 (60%) and phase 2 (57%) than mothers who already had children (57% at phase 1 and 54% at phase 2).

13. Return to work

Across the 3 phases of the survey, mothers were asked about their plans for starting or returning to paid work. This chapter covers their:

• current working status
• maternity leave
• plans to start or return to paid work

It also looks at the effect of returning to work on infant feeding, as well as at paternity and parental leave taken by partners.

Mothers’ working status

Type of work or maternity leave

Findings in this section are from phase 1: question 118, phase 2: question 77 and phase 3: question 79. You can find more data in phase 1: table 133, phase 2: table 90 and phase 3: table 119.At phase 1, when babies were between 2 and 5 months old, the majority (65%) of mothers were on paid maternity or shared parental leave. Around 1 in 20 (5%) were on unpaid maternity or shared paternal leave. A similar proportion (4%) were in paid work. See Maternity pay and leave for more information.

Mothers’ working status remained largely the same at phase 2, when babies were between 4 and 7 months old. Around 64% were on paid maternity or shared parental leave and 5% were in paid work.

At phase 3, when babies were between 8 and 10 months old, more mothers were in paid work (21%) and on unpaid maternity or shared parental leave (12%). Fewer mothers were on paid maternity or shared paternity leave (40%).

Figure 13.1: type of work or maternity leave

Response	Proportion of mothers at phase 1	Proportion of mothers at phase 2	Proportion of mothers at phase 3
Yes, in paid work	4%	5%	21%
I am on paid maternity or shared parental leave	65%	64%	40%
I am on unpaid maternity or shared parental leave	5%	5%	12%
No, not in paid work	26%	27%	27%

Base: all mothers answering at phase 1 (10,152 mothers), at phase 2 (5,057 mothers) and at phase 3 (3, 537 mothers).

At phase 1, mothers who were on paid maternity leave or shared parental leave were more likely to be aged 35 years and over (71%), from a White ethnic group (74%) and living in the least deprived areas (80%), compared with mothers overall (65%). This pattern was also seen at phase 2 and phase 3.

At phase 3, when babies were 8 months or older, more mothers from a Black background (29%) were in paid work compared with all other ethnic groups.

Across all 3 phases, the following subgroups were more likely than mothers overall to not be working or on paid or unpaid maternity or parental leave (phase 1: 26%, phase 2: 27%, phase 3: 27%):

• younger mothers aged 20 to 24 years (phase 1: 45%, phase 2: 48%, phase 3: 48%)
• mothers from Asian backgrounds (phase 1: 46%, phase 2: 46%, phase 3: 53%) or Other ethnic backgrounds (phase 1: 57%, phase 2: 64%, phase 3: 69%)
• mothers living in the most deprived areas (phase 1: 42%, phase 2: 42%, phase: 43%)

Hours worked

Findings in this section are from phase 2: question 80 and phase 3: question 82. You can find more data in phase 2: table 93 and phase 3: table 122.

At phases 2 and 3, mothers who were in paid work were asked how many hours they were working.

At phase 2, of mothers in paid work:

• 34% were working more than 31 hours per week
• 29% were working between 15 and 30 hours per week
• 32% were working less than 15 hours a week

By phase 3, a greater proportion of mothers were working longer hours, with:

• 40% working more than 31 hours a week
• 41% working between 15 and 30 hours
• 13% working less than 15 hours

Figure 13.2: average hours worked a week

Hours worked	Phase 2	Phase 3
Less than 15 hours	32%	13%
Between 15 and 30 hours	29%	41%
31 or more hours	34%	40%
It varies	5%	6%

Base: all mothers answering who were in paid work, at phase 2 (247 mothers) and at phase 3 (732).

At phase 2, the overall base size is low, so subgroup analysis is limited. However, at phase 3, when more mothers had started or returned to paid work, there were variations by ethnicity. Mothers from a Black background (55%) or Asian background (56%) were more likely to be in paid work for 31 hours or more, than mothers overall (40%).

Employment status

Findings in this section are from phase 1: question 119, phase 2: question 78 and phase 3: question 81. You can find more data in phase 1: table 134, phase 2: table 91 and phase 3: table 121.

Most mothers currently in paid work were working as employees (64% at phase 1, 72% at phase 2 and 87% at phase 3).

Self-employed mothers represented a greater proportion of mothers in paid work at phase 1 (34%), compared with phase 2 (27%) and phase 3 (12%).

Figure 13.3: current employment status

Employment status	Proportion of mothers at phase 1	Proportion of mothers at phase 2	Proportion of mothers at phase 3
An employee	64%	72%	86%
Self-employed	34%	27%	12%
Don’t know	3%	1%	1%

Base: all mothers answering who were in paid work at phase 1 (376 mothers), at phase 2 (249 mothers) and at phase 3 (732 mothers).

These findings were broadly consistent by subgroup. However, across all 3 phases, mothers in paid work from White ethnic groups were more likely to be self-employed than mothers overall.

Mothers’ experience of returning to work

Age of babies when mothers returned to work

Findings in this section are from phase 3: question 83. You can find more data in phase 3: table 123.

At phases 2 and 3, mothers currently in paid work were asked the age of their baby when they returned to work. Findings are reported at phase 3, when more mothers had returned to paid work.

At phase 3, when babies were between 8 and 10 months old, 21% of mothers were in paid work. Of these:

• 56% had returned to paid work when their baby was over 6 months, but less than 9 months
• 28% had returned to paid work when their baby was under 6 months old

Figure 13.4: age of baby when you returned to work

Age	Proportion of mothers
Over 1 month, less than 2 months	4%
Over 2 months, less than 3 months	3%
Over 3 months, less than 4 months	5%
Over 4 months, less than 5 months	8%
Over 5 months, less than 6 months	8%
Over 6 months, less than 9 months	56%
9 months or older	14%
Don’t know or can’t remember	1%

Base: all mothers answering who were in paid work by phase 3 (732 mothers).

The findings on age of the baby at the point of returning to paid work were consistent across subgroups.

Childcare arrangements

Findings in this section are from phase 2: question 82 and phase 3: question 84. You can find more data in phase 2: table 95 and phase 3: table 124.

Mothers in paid work were asked how their baby was cared for while they were at work.

At phase 2, when babies were 4 to 7 months old, the most common forms of childcare were:

• partner (58%)
• a relative or friend (39%)
• creche or nursery (10%)

At phase 3, when babies were between 8 and 10 months old, the most common forms of childcare were:

• a relative or friend (49%)
• partner (46%)
• creche or nursery (30%)

The proportion of mothers in paid work who did not use childcare was lower at phase 3 (4%) than phase 2 (15%).

Figure 13.5: how babies are cared for while the mother is at work

Carer	Proportion of mothers at phase 2	Proportion of mothers at phase 3
Childminder or nanny	7%	10%
Creche or nursery (at work or other)	10%	30%
Partner	58%	46%
A relative or friend	39%	49%
Other	2%	2%
Do not use childcare	15%	4%

Base: all mothers currently in paid work at phase 2 (247 mothers) and at phase 3 (731 mothers). Multiple responses allowed.

Findings were broadly consistent between subgroups at phase 2. However, there were some differences between first-time mothers and those with other children:

• 65% used their partners as a form of childcare, compared with 49% of mothers who had other children
• 46% used a relative or friend, compared with 31% of mothers who had other children
• 9% did not use childcare, compared with 24% of mothers who had other children

At phase 3, there were variations in types of childcare used by ethnicity, including that:

• mothers from a Black (70%) or Asian background (64%) were more likely to rely on their partner to care for their baby while at work than mothers from a White ethnic group (40%)
• mothers from a White ethnic group were more likely to use a creche or nursery (35%) than mothers from a Black (16%) or Asian background (13%)

Intention to start or return to work

Findings in this section are from phase 2: question 79 and phase 3: question 80. You can find more data in phase 2: table 92 and phase 3: table 120.

At phases 2 and 3, mothers who were not in paid work or who were on maternity or shared parental leave were asked about their intention to start or return to paid work.

Around 7 in 10 mothers intended to start or return to paid work within the next year:

• 72% at phase 2
• 70% at phase 3

The proportion who did not intend to start or return to paid work was similar across both phases:

• 14% at phase 2
• 16% at phase 3

A similar proportion were unsure at the point of completing the survey:

• 14% at phase 2
• 15% at phase 3

Figure 13.6: intention to start or return to work within the next year

Response	Proportion of mothers at phase 2	Proportion of mothers at phase 3
Yes	72%	70%
No	14%	16%
Don’t know	14%	15%

Base: all mothers answering who were not in paid work or on maternity or shared parental leave at phase 2 (4,794 mothers) and at phase 3 (2,807 mothers).

Intentions to start or return to paid work varied by deprivation, age and ethnicity. This included:

• mothers living in the most deprived areas were less likely to intend to start or return to paid work within the next year than those living in the least deprived areas at phase 2 (83% compared with 58%) and phase 3 (84% compared with 54%)
• younger mothers (aged 20 to 24 years) were less likely to intend to start or return to paid work in the next year than mothers aged 35 years and over at phase 2 (47% compared with 79%) and phase 3 (35% compared with 77%)
• mothers from Asian backgrounds were more likely to say they did not intend to start or return to paid work, compared with mothers overall at phase 2 (22% compared with 14%) and phase 3 (25% compared with 16%)

Age of babies when mothers intend to return to work

Findings in this section are from phase 2: question 86 and phase 3: question 88. You can find more data in phase 2: table 99 and phase 3: table 128.

At phases 2 and 3, mothers who were not in paid work were asked how old their baby would be at the point of starting or returning to paid work within the next year.

At phase 2, when babies were 4 to 7 months old, less than 1 in 20 mothers (3%) expected to start or return to paid work when their baby was less than 6 months old. Instead, babies were more likely to be between 9 months and one year (43%) or one year or older (30%) when their mothers expected to return to work.

At phase 3, when babies were between 8 and 10 months old, 46% of mothers who were not in paid work expected that their baby would be one year or older at the point they expected to start or return to paid work. A similar proportion (44%) expected that it would happen sooner, when their child was between 9 months and one year old.

Table 13.1: age of baby when you return to work

Age	Proportion of mothers at phase 2	Proportion of mothers at phase 3
Over 4 months, less than 5 months	1%	Option not available
Over 5 months, less than 6 months	3%	Option not available
Over 6 months, less than 9 months	21%	8%
Over 9 months, less than 1 year	43%	44%
1 year or older	30%	46%
Don’t know	3%	3%

Base: all mothers answering who expect to return to paid work within the next year, at phase 2 (3,708 mothers) and at phase 3 (2,183 mothers). At phase 3, mothers were not shown response options for ‘Over 4 months, less than 5 months’ or ‘Over 5 months, less than 6 months’, as babies would have been aged between 8 and 10 months old.

There were variations by subgroup. At phase 2, mothers living in the most deprived areas were more likely to start or return to paid work when their baby was younger. A quarter (25%) expected to be in paid work when their baby was over 6 months but less than 9 months old, compared with 18% of mothers living in the least deprived areas. This was also true for mothers from an Asian (26%) or a Black background (31%), compared with mothers overall (21%).

Meanwhile, mothers living in the least deprived areas (36%), and mothers aged 35 years and over (35%) were more likely to intend to go back to paid work when their baby was one year or older compared with mothers overall (30%).

These patterns were consistent at phase 3.

Effect of returning to work on infant feeding

Findings in this section are from phase 2: questions 83 and 87 and phase 3: questions 85 and 89. You can find more data in phase 2: tables 96 and 100 and phase 3: tables 125 and 129.

At phases 2 and 3, mothers in paid work and those who intended to return to work were asked how returning to paid work had affected, or would affect, how they fed their baby. Mothers gave free-text responses.

Of mothers currently in paid work, the majority said that returning to paid work had not affected how they fed their baby (71% at phase 2 and 62% at phase 3).

Among mothers who expected to start or return to paid work within the next year, around half did not think there would be any changes to the way they would feed their baby (52% at phase 2 and 50% at phase 3).

Around a third planned to stop or reduce breastfeeding when they returned to paid work (32% at phase 2 and 36% at phase 3).

Employers’ provision for mothers returning to work

Feeding facilities

UK guidance on breastfeeding and going back to work makes clear that employers have legal obligations to mothers who are breastfeeding, including providing suitable facilities where mothers can rest. The Health and Safety Executive recommends that it is good practice for employers to provide a private, healthy and safe environment for breastfeeding mothers to express and store milk.

Findings in this section are from phase 2: question 84 and phase 3: question 86. You can find more data in phase 2: table 97 and phase 3: table 126.

Mothers in paid work at phases 2 and 3 were asked whether their employer provided facilities to express and store breast milk, or to breastfeed.

Around a third of mothers said that these facilities were available:

• 35% at phase 2
• 32% at phase 3

Around a quarter of mothers said that these facilities were not available:

• 28% at phase 2
• 27% at phase 3

Around 2 in 5 mothers were unsure whether their employer provided these facilities:

• 37% at phase 2
• 41% at phase 3

As shown in table 13.8, employers were more likely to provide facilities to express and store breast milk than to breastfeed.

Figure 13.7: employer provides facilities at work for expressing and storing breast milk, or breastfeeding

Response	Proportion of mothers at phase 2	Proportion of mothers at phase 3
Yes, to express and store breast milk	25%	26%
Yes, to breastfeed	18%	12%
Net: yes	35%	32%
No	28%	27%
Don’t know	37%	41%

Base: all mothers answering currently in paid work at phase 2 (241 mothers) and at phase 3 (722 mothers). Multiple responses allowed.

Note: net includes all mothers answering who said their employer provided facilities at work for expressing and storing breast milk and/or breastfeeding.

The provision of facilities to express and store breast milk, or to breastfeed, did not vary by subgroup.

Flexible working arrangements

Findings in this section are from phase 2: question 85 and phase 3: question 87. You can find more data in phase 2: table 98 and phase 3: table 127.

Mothers in paid work at phases 2 and 3 were asked whether their employer offered flexible working arrangements or other forms of support or advice. Findings are shown for phase 3 when more mothers had returned to work.

The most common arrangements offered were:

• flexible working hours (51%)
• part-time working hours (42%)
• extra leave when children were ill (20%)
• shorter working days (15%)
• different shift patterns (15%)

Around 1 in 10 mothers (12%) said their employer did not offer any of the arrangements listed.

Figure 13.8: flexible working arrangements or support offered by your employer

Employer provisions	Proportion of mothers
Flexible working hours	51%
Part-time working hours	42%
Shorter working days	15%
Longer or extended breaks (which may include time to express milk or breastfeed)	13%
Different shift patterns	15%
Extra leave for when your child or children are ill	20%
Additional leave or holiday	7%
Other support or advice	10%
None of these	12%
Don’t know	8%

Base: all mothers answering currently in paid work at phase 3 (726 mothers). Multiple responses allowed.

The range of arrangements offered was broadly consistent by subgroup.

Experience of paternity and parental leave

Findings in this section are from phase 3: questions 90 and 91. You can find more data in phase 3: tables 130 and 131.

Paternity leave is either 1 or 2 weeks. If fathers choose to take 2 weeks, these can be taken together or separately. Statutory paternity pay is £187.18 per week, or 90% of average weekly earnings, whichever is lower. Employers can enhance this up to full pay if they have a paternity scheme.

At phase 3, three-quarters of mothers (75%) had a partner who took time off paid work to look after their baby or support them after the birth.

The most common types of leave taken by partners were:

• paternity leave on statutory paternity pay (41%)
• paternity leave on employer enhanced pay (18%)
• annual leave entitlement (17%)

A small proportion of partners used paid or unpaid parental or shared parental leave.

Figure 13.9: partner’s time off work to look after your baby or support you after the birth

Response	Proportion of mothers
Yes, paternity leave on statutory paternity pay	41%
Yes, paternity leave on employer enhanced pay	18%
Yes, shared parental leave on statutory shared parental pay	2%
Yes, shared parental leave on employer enhanced shared parental pay	2%
Yes, unpaid shared parental leave	2%
Yes, unpaid parental leave	6%
Yes, using their annual leave entitlement	17%
Yes, self-employed	8%
No, their employer would not let them take leave	1%
No, we couldn’t afford it	3%
No, my partner was not working	5%
No, my partner is self-employed	4%
No, I don’t have a partner	5%
Don’t know	6%

Base: all mothers at phase 3 (3,538 mothers). Multiple responses allowed.

The most common reason why partners did not take time off was that they were self-employed (4%) or could not afford to do so (3%).

The vast majority (87%) of partners that had taken time off work, whether paid or unpaid, took fewer than 6 weeks. Around 1 in 10 (8%) took between 7 and 12 weeks, and 1 in 20 (5%) took more than 12 weeks. This was broadly consistent across all subgroups.

There were variations by subgroup in whether partners took time off, including:

• mothers living in the least deprived areas (87%) were more likely to have a partner that had taken time off than mothers living in the most deprived areas (60%)
• first-time mothers (77%) were more likely to have a partner that had taken time off than mothers who already had children (73%)
• mothers from White ethnic groups (81%) were more likely to have a partner who had taken time off than mothers from Black ethnic groups (60%)

14. Drinking alcohol

UK guidance on drinking alcohol while pregnant outlines that if you are pregnant or think you could become pregnant, the safest approach is not to drink alcohol at all, to keep risks to the infant to a minimum. The NHS also advises that alcohol can pass into breast milk and then into the infant when they are fed. UK guidance on breastfeeding and drinking alcohol states that an occasional drink is unlikely to harm a baby when breastfeeding, but that regularly drinking above the recommended limits can be harmful for both mother and infant.

This chapter looks at alcohol consumption before, during and after pregnancy, from data collected during phase 1 of the survey, when infants were between 2 and 5 months old. It also looks at the reasons mothers changed their drinking habits during pregnancy. The questions cover how often mothers drank and how much, including alcoholic and non-alcoholic alternatives.

See chapter 6 for further information about the types of advice mothers received on the risks and implications of drinking alcohol during pregnancy.

Incidence of drinking alcohol before, during and after pregnancy

Findings in this section are from phase 1: question 96. You can find more data in phase 1: table 100.

Mothers were asked if they had drunk any alcohol, even if only once, in the last 2 years. They could select multiple responses to indicate whether they had drunk alcohol before being pregnant, after becoming pregnant or after their baby was born.

Around 2 in 3 mothers (67%) who responded at phase 1 had drunk alcohol at some point, even if it was only once, in the last 2 years.

Around 3 in 5 mothers (58%) drank before being pregnant and around a quarter (28%) drank alcohol after their baby was born.

Fewer mothers (15%) drank while pregnant, but before they knew they were pregnant, or after learning they were pregnant (5%).

Figure 14.1: alcohol consumption in the last 2 years

Response	Proportion of mothers
Yes, before being pregnant (in the 12 months before being pregnant)	58%
Yes, after becoming pregnant, but before learning I was pregnant	15%
Yes, after learning I was pregnant	5%
Yes, after my baby was born	28%
No	33%

Base: all mothers answering at phase 1, excluding those who responded ‘I don’t know’ (10,153 mothers). Multiple responses allowed.

The proportion of mothers who had drunk alcohol during the last 2 years, even if only once, was higher among:

• White mothers (83%), compared with mothers from an Asian (18%), Black (30%) or from Other ethnic backgrounds (24%)
• mothers aged 30 to 34 years (70%) and those aged 35 years and over (71%), compared with mothers aged 20 to 24 years (58%) and those aged 25 to 29 years (61%)
• mothers living in the least deprived areas (84%), compared with those living in the most deprived areas (49%)
• first-time mothers (72%), compared with mothers who already had a child (61%)

Prevalence of drinking alcohol during pregnancy

Frequency and amount of alcoholic drinks

Findings in this section are from phase 1: questions 97 and 98. You can find more data in phase 1: tables 101, 103 and 104.

Mothers who drank alcohol in the past 2 years were asked how often they had an alcoholic drink during pregnancy. Almost two-thirds (63%) never drank alcohol during pregnancy.

A quarter (25%) drank alcohol on a few occasions. Around 1 in 20 (5%) drank alcohol once a month or less and a further 5% drank alcohol 2 to 3 times a month.

Alcohol consumption on a weekly basis during pregnancy was low. Only 2% of mothers who drank alcohol in the last 2 years said they had drunk alcohol 2 to 3 times a week or more during pregnancy.

Figure 14.2: frequency of alcoholic drinks consumed during pregnancy

Frequency	Proportion of mothers
More than 3 times per week	1%
2 to 3 times per week	1%
2 to 3 times per month	5%
Once a month or less	5%
On a few occasions	25%
Never	63%

Base: all mothers answering who had drunk alcohol in the last 2 years at phase 1 (6,284 mothers).

Mothers who had drunk alcohol during pregnancy were asked how many units they consumed per week. The most common response was that they drank alcohol on occasion but not every week (77%). Around 1 in 14 (7%) drank less than 1 unit, with a similar proportion (10%) drinking 1 to 2 units per week. A further 7% drank 3 or more units per week.

Table 14.1: average units of alcohol consumed each week during pregnancy

Number of units	Proportion of mothers
I drank alcohol on occasion, but not every week	77%
Less than one unit	7%
1 to 2 units	10%
3 to 5 units	4%
6 to 10 units	2%
11 to 15 units	1%
16 to 35 units	<0.5%
More than 35 units	<0.5%

Base: all mothers answering at phase 1 who had drunk alcohol in the last 2 years and drank during pregnancy, excluding those who responded ‘I did not drink any alcohol’ (1,569 mothers).

These findings were broadly consistent across subgroups.

Frequency of alcohol alternative drinks

Findings in this section are from phase 1: question 97. You can find more data in phase 1: table 102.

Mothers who drank alcohol in the last 2 years were also asked about their consumption of alcohol alternative drinks during pregnancy.

Alcohol alternative drinks were defined as alcohol-free beer, cider, wine or spirits. Alcohol-free descriptors refer to drinks where the alcohol has been extracted, and the drink contains no more than 0.05% alcohol by volume.

Around a third (32%) drank an alcohol alternative drink on a few occasions during pregnancy and 10% had an alcohol alternative drink 2 to 3 times a month. Nearly half of mothers (46%) never drank an alcohol alternative drink during pregnancy.

Figure 14.3: frequency of alcohol alternative drinks consumed during pregnancy

Frequency	Proportion of mothers
More than 3 times per week	1%
2 to 3 times per week	3%
2 to 3 times per month	10%
Once a month or less	8%
On a few occasions	32%
Never	46%

Base: all mothers answering who drunk alcohol in the last 2 years at phase 1 (6,132 mothers).

Younger mothers aged 24 years and under (65%) were more likely than mothers aged 35 years and over (41%) to have drunk an alcohol alternative drink during pregnancy.

Mothers living in the most deprived areas (60%) were also more likely to have drunk an alcohol alternative drink during pregnancy than those living in the least deprived areas (38%).

Drinking habits during pregnancy

Findings in this section are from phase 1: questions 99 and 100. You can find more data in phase 1: tables 105 and 106.

Among mothers who had drunk alcohol during the last 2 years, the majority (91%) drank much less while pregnant.

Table 14.2: alcohol consumption levels during pregnancy

Statement	Proportion of mothers
I drank much more during pregnancy than before	<0.5%
I drank a little more during pregnancy than before	<0.5%
I drank about the same during pregnancy as I did before	3%
I drank a little less during pregnancy than I did before	5%
I drank much less during pregnancy than I did before	91%

Base: all mothers answering who drunk alcohol in the last 2 years at phase 1 (5,539 mothers). Multiple responses allowed.

Mothers who changed their drinking habits while pregnant were asked the reasons why. The most common reason given by mothers for drinking less was that they thought alcohol could harm their baby (85%). The availability of alcohol alternative drinks was also important, cited by a quarter (24%) of mothers.

Less than 1 in 20 drank less because:

• it made them feel sick or unwell (3%)
• they disliked the taste of alcohol when pregnant (3%)

Table 14.3: reasons you changed your drinking habits while pregnant

Statement	Proportion of mothers
I thought alcohol could harm my baby	85%
I could drink alcohol alternative drinks (alcohol free beer, cider, wine and spirits)	24%
I stopped drinking or didn’t drink when pregnant or because I was pregnant (see note)	10%
Drinking made me feel sick or unwell	3%
I disliked the taste of alcohol when I was pregnant	3%
I consumed small amounts of alcohol in moderation or on occasions or at social events (see note)	1%
Other (please specify)	1%
Alcohol cheered me up and made me feel better	<0.5%
I had personal problems	<0.5%
Don’t know (see note)	<0.5%

Base: all mothers answering whose drinking habits changed during pregnancy at phase 1, excluding those who responded ‘I don’t know’ (5,357 mothers). Multiple responses allowed.

Note: response added following grouping of ‘Other (please specify)’ free-text responses.

These findings were broadly consistent across subgroups.

Acknowledgements

This report was prepared by:

• Laura Thomas, Jane Stevens, Katherine Fisher, Laura Dale, Alicia May, Seps Sharafi (Ipsos)
• Natasha Powell, Sophie Turner, Natasha James and Jo Nicholas (OHID)

The authors would like to thank all who gave up their time to take part in the infant feeding survey 2024.

The authors would also like to thank everyone who contributed to the work behind this report and its production, particularly the following people:

• colleagues at Ipsos: Anna Quigley, Eileen Irvin, Geraldine Egboche, Kelly Ward and the entire Ipsos project team
• Ipsos’s scientific advisor: Professor Alison McFadden
• colleagues at OHID: Dr Adrienne Cullum, Rachel Elsom, Dr Mariana Dineva, Dr Alison Tedstone and Natalie Hickman
• members and former members of the IFS Project Board: Professor Ken Ong, Wendy Olayiwola, Professor Mary Fewtrell, Dr Nivedita Aswani, Dr Helen Duncan, Amanda Malthouse, Paul Niblett, Bipasha Mondal, Hayley Keegan and Amy Headley