UK Breastfeeding Trends
The World Breastfeeding Trends Initiative (WBTi) is a collaborative initiative to assess and monitor key breastfeeding policies and programmes (WBTi indicators), all drawn from the WHO Global Strategy and the Innocenti Declaration. It was launched by the International Baby Food Action Network (IBFAN) in 2004.
The first WBTi UK report (see media reports here) was launched in Parliament on 15 November 2016. The second report on the UK, covering 2023-24, was released in March 2015.
Currently over 100 countries are participating in the WBTi; the latest global report and details are available online, including the European 18-country report 2020.
Each report lists gaps and recommendations for each indicator to trigger actions that improve support for breastfeeding in that country.
Mothers and babies need the full network of support that is measured by the WBTi.
Follow the news and discussion on Twitter @wbtiUK and on our Facebook page.
Latest blogs
Adjournment debate in UK Parliament on infant feeding
On 1 July, Chichester MP Jess Brown-Fuller led her first adjournment debate in the House of Commons Chamber. She raised key concerns with the Government, calling for a national strategy for England. In her role as chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Infant Feeding she focuses on specific policy areas, beyond her constituency…
Presentation at the APPG on Infant Feeding
Helen, Clare, Alison, and Patricia from the WBTi UK Steering Group presented the 2024 Report to the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Infant Feeding on June 18, 2025. The event, held in Portcullis House, included discussions with MPs and health representatives, generating significant audience engagement about breastfeeding support and professional training.
New WBTi Report: Parliamentary launch
Jess Brown-Fuller, MP for Chichester, hosted the formal launch of the WBTi 2024 UK report on July 24th 2025 in the Jubilee Room at the Houses of Parliament. (left to right) Patricia Wise, Clare Meynell, Jess Brown-Fuller MP with visiting baby Niamh, Helen Gray, Alison Spiro Investigative journalist Kate Quilton drew on her own experiences…
New WBTi report: first findings
Health professional training needs to include more on infant feeding Gaps in health professional training on infant feeding have been one of the most talked-about findings of the WBTi project in the UK. The soft launch of the second WBTi Report on UK infant feeding policies and programmes was held at Guy’s Hospital, London, on…
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The WBTi UK Core Group for the 2016 Report
- Department of Health
- Public Health England
- Northern Ireland Regional Breastfeeding Lead
- Scotland Maternal and Infant Nutrition Coordinator
- Child and Maternal Health Observatory (ChiMat)
- National Infant Feeding Network (NIFN)
- Unicef UK Baby Friendly Initiative
Breastfeeding trends (UK) 