Breastfeeding is an unequalled way of providing
ideal food
for the healthy growth and development of infants1, providing protection from morbidity and mortality due to infectious diseases2 and chronic diseases later in life.3 Exclusive breastfeeding is recommended, starting within one hour of birth and
for the first 6 months of life, with continued breastfeeding to 2 years of age and beyond.4 However, rates of initiation, exclusive breastfeeding and breastfeeding duration have fallen since the widespread introduction and promotion of breast - milk substitutes.5 Successful breastfeeding depends on a number of factors, including a re-normalisation of breastfeeding as the
infant feeding method of
choice through antenatal counselling and education and breastfeeding support to prevent and resolve breastfeeding difficulties.
The Children's Food Trust has been supporting educational and children's settings to provide better meals since the organisation was set up in 2007 and is the
ideal choice to help schools prepare
for the implementation of universal
infant free school meals in September.