Breastfeeding

Part of 2. Questions to the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Services – in the Senedd at 2:33 pm on 25 April 2018.

Alert me about debates like this

Photo of Vaughan Gething Vaughan Gething Labour 2:33, 25 April 2018

I recognise the point made about how people are practically supported to both initiate and then also to continue breastfeeding. There's something about the broader expectation on mothers themselves, through pregnancy, as well as partners, family members, and broader society. And the point made about who is the right healthcare professional to support that mother, to support that family, is part of what I'm expecting the report—the task and finish report—to come back to me on. And if we need to think again about the mix of staff that we have—because it may not need to be a midwife; there are other healthcare professionals, including those who are experienced healthcare professionals who might be coming back in to work, as well, indeed, as volunteers. Because lots of what women say they have found effective are actually peer-to-peer support groups as well. So, there's a broader piece of work that I'm expecting to be done by that task and finish group to understand what we need to do, both employed healthcare staff, volunteers, and the broader changes that we all need to be part of helping to support within our society.