Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what support is available for mothers experiencing poor mental health post-partum related to breastfeeding.

Whilst the relationship with breastfeeding and postnatal depression is complex, a successful breastfeeding experience may protect against mental health issues such as postnatal depression.

Through the Family Hubs and Start for Life programme, the Department is providing £18.5 million in 2025/26 to 75 local authorities in England with high levels of deprivation to improve infant feeding services and provide practical support with breastfeeding. Local authorities are using this investment to put in place a range of specialist support and advice to help parents to meet their infant feeding goals no matter how they choose to feed their baby.

We are also helping the early years workforce to better understand the links between breastfeeding and perinatal mental health. In August 2023, a free e-learning package was launched which has already been taken up by hundreds of staff.