A two-month consultation process on a national breastfeeding policy was launched today.

Chris Fearne, Parliamentary Secretary for Health, said the objective was to raise breast feeding levels in the interests of mothers and their children. Current levels, he observed, were below the EU average.

The policy, he said, aimed at making mothers realise the benefits of breastfeeding and make it easier for them to continue breastfeeding even when they went to work.

The policy aims at encouraging mothers to breastfeed exclusively for six months and then to continue for two years using breast milk and appropriate supplements.

In Malta, 70 per cent of mothers opt for a mix of breast feeding and supplements. In the  EU 80 per cent of mothers breastfeed exclusively. In Malta that is only 50 per cent.

Charmaine Gauci, head of the health information unit, said the government had drafted legislation to control the marketing of  breast milk substitutes. The legislation was prepared in line with EU directives and will stop companies from advertising products as breast milk substitutes. Nor will they be able to sponsor or advertise in certain health-related events.

See the policy document on pdf below.

The policy document will be available on the health ministry website.