ALT Leah looking up at the camera in hospital just after birth. Her newborn is at her breast. Text: "Nursing my babies has been a precious lifeline during mental health struggles - when I have been in a low moment breastfeeding has always reconnected me with my baby"

ALT image of adult holding a baby and text that says "Around 1 in 5 women will experience a mental health problem during pregnancy or in the first year after giving birth"

ALT Image of adult holding baby and text that says: "With appropriate prescribing, most medications used to treat perinatal mental ill health are safe to take whilst breastfeeding."

ALT Image of breastfeeding organisation logos and text that says: Breastfeeding Support and Information www.breastfeedingnetwork.org.uk www.nct.org.uk www.nationalbreastfeedinghelpline.org.uk www.nhsinform.scot www.abm.me.uk www.laleche.org.uk www.unicef.org.uk/babyfriendly/support-for-parents

ALT • Almost two-thirds (66%) of babies born in Scotland in 2020/21 were breastfed for at least some time after their birth. • More than half (55%) of babies were being breastfed at 10-14 days of age in 2020/21. This has increased from 44% in 2002/03. • The percentage of babies being breastfed at 6-8 weeks of age has increased from 36% of babies in 2002/03 to 45% in 2020/21. • In 2020/21, 21% of toddlers were still being breastfed at 13-15 months of age. • There are marked inequalities in breastfeeding, with babies born to mothers in more deprived areas, younger mothers, and those of White Scottish ethnicity least likely to be breastfed. However, the gap is reducing, as the most substantial increases in breastfeeding at 6-8 weeks over recent years have been seen among babies born to mothers in the most deprived areas. • In 2020/21, 79% of babies had been introduced to solid food at six months of age or older. Less than 1% had been started on solids at less than four months of age.