Infant food insecurity - responding and preventing: guide

Following discussions in June 2023, we committed to forming a short life working group to develop emergency integrated pathways for families in Scotland with an infant that may face food insecurity and what is available locally to them in an emergency. This toolkit forms a guide for local areas.


Key statistics

Six infographics showing the key statistics for births in Scotland. 44557 babies born in Scotland in 2023/2024. 14.4 percent born to mothers under 25. For all births in Scotland in 2022/2023 24.5 percent were most deprived and 16.5 percent were least deprived. 66 percent of all babies receive some breastmilk from birth. By 6 to 8 weeks 53 percent of all babies are fully formula fed. 74 percent of babies from most deprived areas are fully formula fed by 6 to 8 weeks

Graphic text below:

Infant Food Insecurity in Scotland

44,557 Babies born in Scotland in 2022/2023

14.3% Born to mothers under 25

For all Births in Scotland in 2022/2023:

Most deprived 24.5% - Least deprived 16.5%

66% of all babies receive some breastmilk from birth

By 6-8 weeks, 53% of all babies are fully formula fed

74% of babies from most deprived areas are fully formula fed by 6-8 weeks

Contact

Email: erin.clark@gov.scot

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