ABSTRACT
This chapter aims to identify the role breastfeeding has in promoting public health and reducing health inequalities for both mother and infant by exploring the health benefits of breastfeeding and the dangers of not doing so. It explores the results of the Infant Feeding Survey 2010 to highlight which mothers are most likely to breastfeed, and which least likely to initiate breastfeeding, or do so for a shorter period of time. It also introduces some of the main global, national and local strategies to promote, support and protect breastfeeding. Breastfeeding remains an important part of establishing strong relationships; the focus is on communication styles and a mother-centred approach. The WHO developed the International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes, known as the 'Code', to protect and promote breastfeeding and ensure the proper use of breastmilk substitutes. There is a wealth of information available to both mothers and healthcare professionals today is now available to most people.
