Pregnancy and neonates: 6 to 8 week breastfeeding
Indicator
The proportion of babies exclusively or partially breastfed 6 to 8 weeks after birth.
Indicator type
Network / system level indicator.
The indicator would be appropriate to understand and report on the performance of networks or systems of providers.
This document does not represent formal NICE guidance. For a full list of NICE indicators, see our menu of indicators.
To find out how to use indicators and how we develop them, see our NICE indicator process guide.
Rationale
Pregnant women should be given information and support to encourage breastfeeding prior to and after birth. There is well established evidence concerning the benefits for both mother and the baby. This indicator aims to increase the number of babies who are breastfed.
Source guidance
-
Maternal and child nutrition: nutrition and weight management in pregnancy, and nutrition in children up to 5 years. NICE guideline NG247 (2025), recommendations 1.3.2 to 1.3.4
-
Postnatal care. NICE guideline NG194 (2021), recommendations 1.5.2, 1.5.9, 1.5.12 and 1.5.14
Specification
Numerator: The number of infants in the denominator recorded as being exclusively or partially breastfed at 6 to 8 weeks.
Denominator: The number of infants aged 9 weeks old.
Calculation: Numerator divided by the denominator, multiplied by 100.
Exclusions: None.
Data source: NHS England Maternity Service Data Set.
Minimum population: The indicator would be appropriate to assess the performance of networks or systems of providers.