Scotland's Breastfeeding and Infant Feeding Strategic Framework(2025-2030): Annual Progress Report June 2026

Annual Progress Report

Introduction

The Breastfeeding and Infant Feeding Strategic Framework, published June 2025, reflects the work that has been done in Scotland in recent years and sets out our ambitions through to 2030. This progress report provides an overview of all actions within the Framework for the first year (2025-26).

The vast majority of actions have been delivered. One action has been partly delivered and the timescale for this has now been adjusted to reach the fully deliverable stage towards the end of 2026.

Policy context

We know that Breastfeeding is one of the most effective early‑life public health interventions, providing critical nutritional, developmental and long‑term health benefits for infants. There is strong evidence that it reduces the risk of infections and obesity and long-term ill health, while supporting optimal neurodevelopment and growth. Benefits can be seen across all socioeconomic groups and particularly for infants experiencing poverty.

Breastfeeding rates in Scotland are now the highest on record. The latest statistics published by Public Health Scotland show that 69% of babies receive breastmilk at some point after birth. Even more encouraging is the data that at the 6–8 week review 51% of babies are breastfed, marking the first time since records began (2002/03) that more babies are receiving breastmilk than formula at this stage.

Since 2018, the Scottish Government has invested over £12 million to expand breastfeeding support services nationwide. This includes a permanent £0.8 million annual investment transferred to Health Boards to support sustainable, locally‑led planning and improve support and outcomes for families across Scotland.

Summary of Key Actions Delivered

Events, Learning & Knowledge Sharing

• National Breastfeeding Conference, building on successes, share learning, innovation and evidence-base across national and international experts (March 2026).
• Infant feeding data workshops, with evaluation completed to improve understanding and use of data sources for improvement (April 2025).
• National QI learning event, sharing innovations being taken to national spread including Cue‑Based Feeding in neonatal units (March 2025)
• Quality Improvement Toolkits, Colostrum Harvesting (up-dated April 2026) Kangaroo Care Skin to Skin in the Neonatal Unit and Cue-Based Feeding
• Learning exchange activity progressing, including infant feeding training needs analysis (April 2026). Planned webinars and case‑based discussions for the workforce arranged (March 2026).

Data, Intelligence & Research

• Breastfeeding Infant Feeding Data Guide for Scotland (updated November 2025). Part of a wider approach to embed the routine use of data and quality improvements methods across NHS Board, Local Authority and third sector.
• Quality Improvement project sustainability (funding baselined, April 2025))
• National scoping on peer and first‑line support models (September 2025).
• Infant Feeding Survey working group established to scope a follow‑up to the 2017 Scottish Maternal and Infant Nutrition Survey, with Public Health Scotland agreement secured (January 2026).
• Ongoing review of the evidence base, including Lancet, SACN and Becoming Breastfeeding Friendly reports.

Strategy, Policy & National Direction

• National breastfeeding stretch aim refreshed setting a target to reduce the drop-off rate at 6–8 weeks by 10% by 2031, with NHS Boards and Ministerial agreement (March 2026).
• Competition and Markets Authority recommendations on infant formula being addressed on UK-wide basis. Working groups in Scotland undertaking designated workstreams.
• Review of 2024 WBTi recommendations planned, with actionable responses to be scoped.
• Exploration of survey‑level breastfeeding data opportunities identified. Breastfeeding questions included in the 2025 Maternity Care Survey (November 2025).

Workforce Development & Practice Improvement

• Breastfeeding TURAS modules refreshed (Modules 1, 2A & 2B published (March 2026). Modules 3 and 4 in development.
• Clinical and practical skills workbook widely adopted (March 2026):
  • 12 of 14 NHS Boards completed scoping
  • 10 Boards actively using the workbook and one NHS Board in a planning phase
  • 2 of 4 HEIs have implemented it, with further engagement underway
• Ongoing engagement with Boards and HEIs to support consistent implementation.

Programmes of Improvement, Schemes & Local Delivery

• Breastfeeding Friendly Scotland School Scheme e‑learning scope progressing, with SWAY under review for national use.
• Breastfeeding Friendly Scotland Local Authority Scheme implementation framework finalised and available nationally (September 2025).
• Breastfeeding Friendly Scotland Early Learning Scheme rollout monitored across Scottish Local Authorities on a 6‑monthly basis.
• Strong Progress on scaling up of interventions :
  • Colostrum Harvesting - national spread plan implemented (March 2026)
  • Kangaroo Care (neonatal units) - 9 units fully implemented (April 2026)
  • Cue-based Feeding (neonatal units) - 7 units fully implemented (April 2026)
  • Supplementation of Donor Human Milk (post natal wards) – care bundle developed (August 2025), 2 NHS Boards fully embedded with 3 partially (April 2026)
  • Enhanced antenatal and postnatal infant feeding support – exploration of high level comparison study opportunities in development (April 2026)

Accreditation & Sustainability

• Strong progress on UNICEF UK BFI Achieving Sustainability accreditation:
  • 64% maternity services
  • 86% community services
  • 31% neonatal services
  • 25% universities
• One neonatal unit progressing to Stage 3 (planned June 2026).

The above actions are shown in table form in Annex A

How Health Boards are using the Framework document

A number of the Health Boards are using the Framework primarily as a strategic planning and delivery tool across infant feeding and breastfeeding work. In practice, it is:

• Informing and refreshing MIN Action Plans, for activities in the year ahead and longer‑term planning (e.g. 2026–2029).
• Supporting action planning within strategic MIN and Breastfeeding groups over the coming years.
• Embedded in governance structures, with the Framework cited within group Terms of Reference.
• Shaping wider Board workplans, focus on decreasing inequalities particularly within health improvement and public health teams, to guide priorities
• Included in all teaching as a key strategic driver and a way of linking strategy to practice and impact.

Next Phase

We will prioritise the very few 2025/26 actions which have made little progress to avoid further immediate slippage.

Continue to engage and work with our partners and networks such as the Health Boards, Scottish Infant Feeding Network, the Scottish Breastfeeding Collaborative and Breastfeeding Third Sector on the tracking and delivery of workstreams.

We will increase focus on population groups and communities, building on, and supporting reducing inequalities further by taking a more systematic approach to learning, understand what is working across communities and populations and spread effective practice.

The next phase will require continued collaboration, increased visibility of breastfeeding in everyday life, and a relentless policy focus to further embed evidence-based initiatives on what we know works, underpinned by a national culture that values and supports breastfeeding across society.

In addition to the ongoing actions, in 2026/27 we will….