Hansard

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.