Breastfeeding
type: Dataset
description: Note: This dataset will not be receiving updates through this portal. Please refer to the [Public Health Scotland Open Data](https://www.opendata.nhs.scot/dataset/infant-feeding) platform for the relevant data. The number and percentage of babies who received a health visitor first visit and whose feeding status is known. These statistics are derived from data collected at the health visitor First Visit review (at around 10 days old) and the 6-8 week review, and recorded on the child health pre-school system (CHSP Pre-School). At these reviews, the health professional (normally a health visitor) records whether a mother is exclusively breastfeeding (baby is fed breast milk only), mixed feeding (baby is fed both breast and formula milk), or if the baby is being fed formula milk only. The overall breastfeeding rate includes babies who are exclusively breastfed and babies who are mixed breast and formula fed. Some information may have been suppressed or adjusted to preserve patient confidentiality. More details, including a statistical commentary, are available on the [infant feeding pages of the NHS ISD website](https://www.isdscotland.org/Health-Topics/Child-Health/Infant-Feeding/). Further details on the methodology used to create this dataset are available in the accompanying [technical report](https://www.isdscotland.org/Health-Topics/Child-Health/Publications/2018-10-30/2018-10-30-Infant-Feeding-Technical-Report.pdf).
issued: 2026-08-13T10:33:34.735538
modified: 2026-08-20T17:08:38.069969
version notes: This dataset is produced from the latest data extract from Child Health Systems Programme Pre-School which is a dynamic system, with ongoing updating of records. Data for the previous financial year are updated in the next release though any updates are expected to be minor.
contact point: Kind
contact point: Organization
theme: Health and Social Care
accuracy: This is an established data collection which covers a very high proportion of the target population. These data are reliable indicator of infant feeding rates in Scotland.
comment: Number, and percentage of, babies being breastfed or exclusively breastfed by review stage.
completeness: It is the policy of ISD Scotland to make its websites and products accessible according to [published guidelines](https://www.isdscotland.org/About-ISD/Accessibility/).
confidentiality: To ensure the confidentiality of personal information, the [ISD protocol on Statistical Disclosure Protocol is followed](https://www.isdscotland.org/About-ISD/Confidentiality/).
consistency: See 'Differences in definition of exclusive breastfeeding with data from other sources' and 'Breastfeeding rates in the UK' sections of our [technical report](https://www.isdscotland.org/Health-Topics/Child-Health/Publications/2018-10-30/2018-10-30-Infant-Feeding-Technical-Report.pdf)
geographical coverage: S08
geographical coverage: S12
geographical coverage: S92
license id: uk-ogl
quality management: This is a National Statistics Publication. National Statistics status means that the official statistics meet the highest standards of trustworthiness, quality and public value. They comply with the Code of Practice for statistics and are awarded National Statistics status following an assessment by the UK Statistics Authority's regulatory arm. The Authority considers whether the statistics meet the highest standards of Code compliance, including the value they add to public decisions and debate. Find out more about the Code of Practice at: [https://www.statisticsauthority.gov.uk/osr/code-of-practice/ ](https://www.statisticsauthority.gov.uk/osr/code-of-practice/) Find out more about National Statistics at: [https://www.statisticsauthority.gov.uk/national-statistician/types-of-official-statistics/ ](https://www.statisticsauthority.gov.uk/national-statistician/types-of-official-statistics/)
reference period: PeriodOfTime
  end date: 2019
  start date: 2002
timeliness: This dataset is updated annually.
uniqueness: Not assessed
update frequency: annual
validity: This data is publicly available for planning, epidemiology, provision of services and providing comparative information. See [How breastfeeding statistics are used](https://www.isdscotland.org/Health-Topics/Child-Health/Statistics-in-Use/Docs/How-breastfeeding-statistics-are-used.pdf),
will be updated: false

breastfeeding.csv
type: Distribution
description: Data file for Breastfeeding
format: CSV
issued: 2026-08-13T10:34:48.819708
modified: 2026-08-13T10:34:48.809653
table schema: Schema
  column: Column
    datatype: text
    name: GeographyType
  column: Column
    datatype: text
    name: Breastfeeding Data Collection Time
  column: Column
    datatype: text
    name: Units
  column: Column
    datatype: text
    name: Measurement
  column: Column
    datatype: text
    name: GeographyName
  column: Column
    datatype: text
    name: Population Group
  column: Column
    datatype: float
    name: Value
  column: Column
    datatype: text
    name: GeographyCode
  column: Column
    datatype: text
    name: DateCode
access URL: https://admin.data.gov.scot/resource/087699a9-0b60-4ca5-a0cd-b9f4d3327bd1/download
comment: Number, and percentage of, babies being breastfed or exclusively breastfed by review stage.
dictionary: Column
  column: GeographyName
  type: text
dictionary: Column
  column: GeographyType
  type: text
dictionary: Column
  column: Value
  type: float
dictionary: Column
  column: Measurement
  type: text
dictionary: Column
  column: Units
  type: text
dictionary: Column
  column: DateCode
  type: text
dictionary: Column
  column: GeographyCode
  type: text
dictionary: Column
  column: Breastfeeding Data Collection Time
  type: text
dictionary: Column
  column: Population Group
  type: text

Public Health Scotland
type: Agent

Health and Social Care
type: Concept