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Maternal and infant nutrition

The Government is fully committed to the promotion of breastfeeding, which is accepted as the best form of nutrition for infants to ensure a good start in life. Breastmilk provides all the nutrients a baby needs. Exclusive breastfeeding is recommended for the first six months of an infant's life. Six months is the recommended age for the introduction of solid foods for infants. Breastfeeding (and/or breastmilk substitutes, if used) should continue beyond the first six months along with appropriate types and amounts of solid foods. Mothers who do not follow these recommendations should be supported to optimise their infants' nutrition

Latest updates

Report of the Independent Review of the Controls on Infant Formula and Follow on Formula

Published: 11/03/2010

Vitamin D: new leaflets for health professionals advising about groups at increased risk of deficiency, and recommended supplementation.

Published: 20/01/2010

Commissioning local breastfeeding support services

Published: 06/10/2009

Revised Government advice on consumption of peanut during pregnancy, breastfeeding, and early life and development of peanut allergy

Published: 25/08/2009

Pregnancy, breastfeeding and swine flu A/H1N1

Published: 29/05/2009

DH advice for toddlers and young children (1 - 5 years) to avoid rice drinks due to risk of exposure to inorganic arsenic

Published: 27/05/2009

The Department of Health advises that all toddlers and young children should avoid the consumption of rice drinks in order to minimise their exposure to inorganic arsenic. This follows research published by the Food Standards Agency (FSA) looking at levels of arsenic in rice drinks.

New UK-WHO Growth Charts – birth to 4 years

The new UK-WHO growth charts for children aged 0-4 years were launched recently at the NBAW conference on 11th May 2009 and have been introduced for the first time in England. The charts, which have been developed for the Department of Health by the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health will replace current UK 1990 charts for this age group, as they are based on predominately formula fed babies. The new charts are based on infants who have been breastfed for at least 4 months and provide standards for assessing growth of all infants and help to establish exclusive breastfeeding as the norm for about the first 6 months of life. A new leaflet, Using the new UK-World Health Organisation 0-4 years growth charts, is also available to support healthcare professionals who use the charts.

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Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition (opens new window)

Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition (SACN) is a UK wide advisory committee set up to replace the Committee on Medical Aspects of Food and Nutrition Policy (COMA). It advises and is supported by the Department of Health and the Food Standards Agency.

Subgroup on Maternal and Child Nutrition (SMCN) (opens new window)

The Subgroup on Maternal and Child Nutrition still meets regularly in 2009. The group provides scientific advice on issues related to maternal and infant nutrition.

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