Chamber
Meeting of the Parliament 23 January 2024
23 Jan 2024 · S6 · Meeting of the Parliament
Item of business
Breastfeeding
I have a personal interest in this important topic, having many years ago trained as a dietician and met many mothers and babies over the years. It is also an area that Labour members before me have championed, and I cannot speak about breastfeeding in the Scottish Parliament without mentioning the world-leading legislation that was introduced to the Parliament by my friend Elaine Smith. The Breastfeeding etc (Scotland) Act 2005 makes it illegal to stop a mother feeding her baby under the age of two by breastfeeding or bottle feeding in premises where the public have general access. I am absolutely sure that that legislation has contributed to the improved rates of breastfeeding that are mentioned in the Government motion.
I start in agreement with the Government—I emphasise that Scottish Labour fully supports its initiatives to improve breastfeeding rates in Scotland, and I agree that closing the inequalities gap is paramount. Breastfeeding plays a big part in improving health over an entire life. I will take the intervention from Rachael Hamilton.
In the same item of business
The Presiding Officer (Alison Johnstone)
NPA
The next item of business is a debate on motion S6M-11935, in the name of Jenni Minto, on celebrating and supporting breastfeeding in Scotland. I invite memb...
The Minister for Public Health and Women’s Health (Jenni Minto)
SNP
I am delighted to open this debate to celebrate and support breastfeeding in Scotland. As the Minister for Public Health and Women’s Health, I am clear that...
Meghan Gallacher (Central Scotland) (Con)
Con
I have been listening to what the minister is saying because I am really interested in this subject. In particular, take-up of breastfeeding tends to be lowe...
Jenni Minto
SNP
I will come to that idea later in my speech. We have done more than just research; we have put things in place, including family nurse partnerships. The evi...
Rachael Hamilton (Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire) (Con)
Con
Will the minister take an intervention?
Jenni Minto
SNP
I would like to make progress. Using human milk as a bridge to breastfeeding means that Scotland is following international best practice. Protecting, promo...
Tess White (North East Scotland) (Con)
Con
I admit that progress has been made. However, the Royal College of Midwives has said that midwifery is in crisis, due to turnover. In order to improve the cu...
Jenni Minto
SNP
It is clear that the Scottish Government recognises that, and that it has helped to increase the number of midwives. Yesterday, I spoke to two in my constitu...
Rachael Hamilton
Con
Will the minister take an intervention?
Jenni Minto
SNP
I am sorry; I must continue. Seeing other women breastfeeding in communities, and hearing breastfeeding being discussed and promoted as part of a normal lif...
The Presiding Officer
NPA
Members may wish to know that we have a fair amount of time in hand this afternoon and that, if possible, they will receive time back for any interventions. ...
Tess White (North East Scotland) (Con)
Con
The benefits of breastfeeding are well known, but the difficulties in establishing and sustaining it for mother and baby are not widely recognised. For many ...
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Liam McArthur)
LD
I invite Ms White to move her amendment.
Tess White
Con
I move amendment S6M-11935.2, to insert at end: “; recognises the benefits of breastfeeding to both the child and the mother, as well as the challenges that...
Carol Mochan (South Scotland) (Lab)
Lab
I have a personal interest in this important topic, having many years ago trained as a dietician and met many mothers and babies over the years. It is also a...
Rachael Hamilton
Con
My intervention is about the breastfeeding act that Carol Mochan mentions. I breastfed three children but never in my time saw anyone use that act to protect...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
LD
Carol Mochan, I can give you the time back.
Carol Mochan
Lab
Thank you very much for that intervention. It is a very good point—time passes and we perhaps forget some of the legislation that has been passed when we cou...
Alex Cole-Hamilton (Edinburgh Western) (LD)
LD
I am grateful for the opportunity to speak for the Liberal Democrats in this important debate, and I thank Jenny Minto for securing chamber time for it. We ...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
LD
We move to the open debate. 15:10
Stephanie Callaghan (Uddingston and Bellshill) (SNP)
SNP
I am delighted to speak in today’s Scottish Government debate on celebrating and supporting breastfeeding. Breast milk is the perfect source of nutrition for...
Rachael Hamilton
Con
I note with interest the member’s reference to the baby box. What is in it to support women to breastfeed?
Stephanie Callaghan
SNP
I hope to hear the detail on that. I asked a parliamentary question about that and the minister confirmed the position. Not too long ago, most of our granni...
Meghan Gallacher
Con
I commend Stephanie Callaghan for her work on breastfeeding. I want to mention my experience in relation to health visitors. My daughter has not had all of h...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
LD
I can give you the time back for that intervention, Stephanie Callaghan.
Stephanie Callaghan
SNP
I think that that is a little bit off topic, but we definitely need to work really hard to do that. Not every mum will succeed at breastfeeding, but there i...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
LD
Thank you very much, Ms Callaghan. I remind members that we have a bit of time in hand, so anyone taking interventions should get the time back. 15:17
Rachael Hamilton (Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire) (Con)
Con
Today’s debate focuses on the important topic of breastfeeding. Colleagues from all parties have recognised its importance in their speeches and have been sh...
Alex Cole-Hamilton
LD
Will the member take an intervention?
Rachael Hamilton
Con
Yes.