Breastfeeding support: breastfeeding has important health benefits
for bothmother and baby. Babies who are not breast-fed have higher
rates of gastrointestinal, middle ear and urine infections, childhood
diabetes and obesity. Teenagers are 50% less likely to initiate
breastfeeding and thosewho do aremuch less likely to continue after
6 weeks postnatally. Some studies report that only 34% of teenagers
are breastfeeding one week after birth.This illustrates the importance
of providing appropriate support and encouragement via community
midwives, family nurses, health visitors and peer groups.