BBC News Scotland recently published this report  stating the Scottish government has received 19 million pounds over the next three years to promote maternal and infant nutrition. Breastfeeding is one of the obvious methods of both maternal and infant nutitrion, and is expected to receive a greater amount of promotion to new mothers due to this cash injection.

The all important question is how can the government promote breastfeeding to a wide a range as possible within the UK ? Studies have shown the initial incidence of mothers breastfeeding their babies from birth has risen significantly over the last 5 years ( Taken from the government Infant feeding survery 2005) but by the 9 months post birth breasfeeding rates have dropped to approx 13% .

Of course there are many reasons why women give up breastfeeding, baby rejecting the breast, lack of milk , sore nipples etc but could one more obvious reason money. Our maternity benefits , maternity pay when compared with other european countries is much less. If we use Norway as an example the govenment has implemented that  each mother is paid1 years maternity pay at 80% of their original wage. 99% of mothers in Norway upon leaving hospital are breastfeeding their children and by 3 - 4 months post delivery 90% are still breastfeeding.

Perhaps because the stress of money has been lightened a little from the Norwegian mothers they maybe feel more relaxed to try breastfeeding? Who knows. But promoting breastfeeding has to be a good thing