Pregnancy and neonates: breastfeeding 48 hours
Indicator
The percentage of mothers who give their babies breast milk in the first 48 hours after delivery.
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
The evidence around the benefits of breastfeeding for both mother and baby is well established. NICE's guideline on postnatal care recommends pregnant women should be given information and support to encourage breastfeeding once the baby is born.
Source guidance
Antenatal care. NICE guideline NG201 (2021), recommendations 1.3.14 and 1.3.19
Postnatal care. NICE guideline NG194 (2021), recommendations 1.5.2, 1.5.9, 1.5.12 and 1.5.14
Maternal and child nutrition. NICE guideline PH11 (2008, updated 2014), recommendations 1 and 7
Specification
Numerator: The number of mothers who initiate breastfeeding in the first 48 hours after delivery.
Denominator: The total number of maternities.
Calculation: Numerator divided by the denominator, multiplied by 100.
Exclusions: Maternities without a live birth.
Data source: Public Health England's public health profiles.
Minimum population: The indicator would be appropriate to assess the performance of networks or systems of providers.
ISBN: 978-1-4731-5530-5