North Lanarkshire has achieved a significant public health milestone, announcing that breastfeeding now accounts for more than half of all infant feeding in the region. This remarkable success underscores a concentrated effort by local authorities and health services to champion maternal and infant well-being, setting a precedent for other communities.

This impressive figure was unveiled as the North Lanarkshire Council detailed its extensive plans to commemorate World Breastfeeding Week 2025, an annual global observance set to run from August 1st to 7th. The week-long initiative aims to further raise awareness and reinforce the critical importance of breastfeeding for early childhood development.

Further demonstrating robust institutional support, Councillors Geraldine Woods and Fiona Fotheringham jointly presented a motion during a recent full council meeting, specifically endorsing World Breastfeeding Week. This bipartisan show of solidarity highlights the collective commitment within the local government to promote healthier beginnings for children.

The motion also served to officially commend the diligent efforts of council staff, alongside the dedicated professionals from NHS Lanarkshire’s Infant Feeding and Maternity Services. Their collaborative spirit and the contributions of various partner organizations have been pivotal in providing comprehensive Infant Feeding Support across the area, fostering a nurturing environment for new parents.

To personally underscore the council’s dedication to this cause, Depute Leader Louise Roarty visited one of the many vibrant breastfeeding groups active within North Lanarkshire. Her engagement with mothers and caregivers at the grassroots level reinforced the practical benefits of these Community Health Initiatives and the positive impact they have on families.

Roarty emphasized the strategic importance of “providing welcoming spaces across our communities and workplaces to support new parents breastfeeding.” She also highlighted the necessity of “educating our young people, and changing the culture of breastfeeding to be seen as the norm,” advocating for a holistic approach to Public Health Success that prioritizes Maternal Well-being.

These strategic interventions are integral to increasing breastfeeding rates and, by extension, creating healthier communities across the region, aligning with broader Scottish Health Policy objectives. The focus on normalizing breastfeeding through education and accessible support systems is key to long-term societal benefits.

North Lanarkshire’s commitment to these initiatives during World Breastfeeding Week serves as an inspiring model. It illustrates how sustained advocacy, coupled with practical Maternal Support Programs and robust public health infrastructure, can lead to measurable improvements in community health and infant development outcomes for generations to come.