Yesterday, the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities (OHID) published the long-awaited findings from the England Infant Feeding Survey (IFS) 2024. The IFS dates back to the 1970s and provides a core evidence base for infant feeding policy. However, the IFS was last published in 2010, making it challenging to benchmark infant feeding – this new survey fills a long data gap.

For many years, the iHV has worked alongside numerous leading charities, organisations and individuals calling for the reinstatement of the IFS to enable us to understand the current state of infant feeding in England, whether improvements are being seen and any areas that require a shift in policy. We are therefore delighted that the government listened – the new IFS represents an important step in rebuilding the evidence base.

About the survey:

The survey looked at infant feeding in the first 10 months of life, with data collected from families at three timepoints: 2-5 months, 4-7 months and 8-10 months of age.

The IFS collected detailed information on:

• breastfeeding
• infant formula feeding
• the introduction of solid foods and other drinks
• the use of maternal and infant vitamin and mineral supplements
• the infant feeding support mothers received during pregnancy and after birth
• wider contextual information, such as a mother’s wellbeing and their return to work.

Findings are based on mothers’ responses using random sampling from national maternity datasets to select participants – with results reported overall and by subgroups for maternal age, ethnicity and deprivation. Ipsos conducted the survey, using well-established methods to ensure that the findings are as representative as possible of mothers in England (sampling mothers giving birth during August and December 2023). Response rates were strong for a national longitudinal survey of this type – just over 10,000 mothers took part, providing a large and robust dataset. Although participation declined across later stages – as is typical in longitudinal surveys – the findings remain nationally representative. Due to changes in methodology, IFS 2024 results are not directly comparable with IFS 2010.

We have pulled out some of the key findings from IFS 2024:

• Starting breastfeeding
  • More than 4 in 5 mothers (86%) initiated breastfeeding – with mothers aged 35 or over (92%) more likely to initiate breastfeeding compared with mothers aged 20-24 years (73%).
  • Mothers from ethnic minority groups were more likely to initiate breastfeeding. This includes 99% of mothers from both Black or Other ethnic group, 96% from an Asian ethnic group, compared with 82% of mothers from White ethnic groups.
  • Nine in ten (90%) mothers living in the least deprived areas initiated breastfeeding, compared with 8 in 10 (80%) mothers living in the most deprived areas.
  • Three-quarters of mothers (75%) were aware of health benefits of breastfeeding for the mother or the baby – with mothers living in the most deprived areas less likely to be aware (19% were not aware).
• Duration of breastfeeding: Of all mothers who started breastfeeding:
  • 94% were still breastfeeding after one week
  • 82% were still breastfeeding at 6 weeks
  • 68% continued to breastfeed for at least 6 months
  • Mothers who already had children tended to breastfeed for longer than first-time mothers (60% compared to 56% at 6 months).
• Stopping breastfeeding:
  • Around three-quarters of mothers (73%) who had ever breastfed their baby experienced at least one breastfeeding difficulty, with engorgement being the most common (42%) issue mothers faced.
  • 72% of mother who stopped breastfeeding said they would have liked to have continued.
• Support in the first few days – support at home:
  • Of the mothers who gave birth in hospital or who were in hospital shortly after birth, almost 7 in 10 (68%) felt they received enough help with feeding their baby while in hospital.
  • Almost all mothers (99%) had contact with a health visitor after birth.
  • The most common source of help or information for mothers who experienced feeding difficulties at home was a health professional (midwife, health visitor or GP). Almost three-quarters of mothers (73%) got help or information this way.
  • Almost 1 in 10 mothers (9%) with feeding difficulties at home did not get any help or information about these difficulties.
• Type of formula:
  • At age 8-10 months, the main formula used by 37% of babies was a non-recommended formula: Whilst 63% were using ‘first infant formula’, 21% were using follow-on formula, 9% prescribed hypoallergenic (91% of this was for suspected cow’s milk allergy which we know is mostly misdiagnosis) and about 5% Foods for Special Medical Purposes (FSMP) – providing useful insight that was not covered in previous IFSs.
• Introducing solid foods and use of commercial baby foods:
  • 67% of mothers introduced solid foods at 6 months or older
  • Around 7 in 10 mothers (69%) made their baby’s first solid food at home and 30% gave their baby food bought from a shop.
  • Use of commercial baby snacks is a cause for concern. When babies were between 8 and 10 months old:
    • 20% had shop-bought baby snacks every day
    • 74% had them at least weekly
    • 18% never had them
  • Vitamins
    • Around half of mothers (52%) were aware of the Healthy Start Scheme.
    • Among mothers who believed they were eligible for Healthy Start, 56% had registered for the scheme and 38% had not – meaning many are missing out on this important support at this time.
    • Preparing for pregnancy: around 2 in 5 mothers (41%) took folic acid supplements before they were pregnant – highlighting an important gap in pregnancy planning; this increased to around 7 in 10 mothers (72%) during the first 3 months of pregnancy.
    • Around half (54%) of breastfeeding mothers gave their baby vitamin D drops (UK guidance recommends that all infants who are being breastfed should be given a daily vitamin D supplement).

Responding to the survey, Alison Morton OBE, iHV CEO, said:

“The survey provides valuable insight into infant feeding behaviours, including the growing influence of commercial drivers on families. It is encouraging to see improvements in breastfeeding initiation and duration across England. This progress reflects the sustained commitment and expertise of midwives, health visitors, wider health professionals, and voluntary sector organisations who have supported families over many years – and the success of robust system support through initiatives like Unicef UK’s Baby Friendly programme to drive improved standards and quality of support.

“However, these findings also remind us that progress is uneven and fragile. The findings reflect the voices of those who responded but inevitably exclude women who may face the greatest barriers to participation – and we need to ensure that their voices are also heard.

“There remains a clear need to maintain focus, investment and leadership to secure continued improvement. All women and families must have access to consistent, evidence-based support to make informed infant feeding decisions and to continue breastfeeding for as long as they wish. This important step in rebuilding the evidence base must now be matched by sustained investment in services and support to help all families meet their infant feeding goals.”

Professor Amy Brown, Centre for Lactation, Infant Feeding and Translational Research, University of Swansea, said:

“It is positive to see the revival of the infant feeding survey as a way of ensuring women have opportunity to share their feeding experiences. The data highlight how investment in infant feeding support in recent years is working to support more women to breastfeed their baby and for longer. However, the report also shows that continued and increased investment is needed. Many women who stop breastfeeding in the first few weeks are not ready to do so. They stop because of pain, feeding difficulties and insufficient support. Given the established impacts of infant feeding experiences upon maternal and infant health and wellbeing, we must continue working towards a future where all women who want to breastfeed their baby are given the support that increases their chances of doing so.”

Helen Smith, iHV Expert Adviser for Infant Feeding, said:

“The Infant feeding Survey provides us with more up-to-date evidence of current infant feeding practices and experiences. We know investing in breastfeeding support, particularly when establishing breastfeeding, makes a difference to success and outcomes for both babies and mothers and therefore it should be embedded in health policy.”

Shereen Fisher, Programme Director, Baby Friendly Initiative, UNICEF UK, said:

“The findings underline the importance of maintaining a strong focus on evidence-based maternity, neonatal, hospital based children’s services, and community care, so that families receive the infant feeding support and care they need in the moments that matter most. Behind every statistic is a parent doing their best for their baby. These findings must strengthen resolve to ensure that every family feels informed, supported and cared for throughout their feeding journey.”

Over the coming months, we will carefully consider the detail and implications of these findings for health visiting practice – and welcome collaboration with our partners to help ensure there is sufficient resource within health visiting and maternity services to effectively support women babies and their families.

The Breastfeeding Network said:

The findings of this survey should be used as a call to action to urge policymakers to commit to sustained investment in high-quality infant feeding and breastfeeding support which is delivered consistently across England and accessible to all families.