Improving Maternal and Infant Nutrition: A Framework for Action

1.17 The Healthy Start Scheme was introduced in 2006 and replaced the WelfareFoods Scheme. The scheme helps low income families by providing vouchers forfree fresh milk, infant formula, fresh fruit and vegetables to young children andpregnant women, as well as free vitamin supplements. The scheme alsoencourages earlier and closer contact with health professionals who can give adviceon pregnancy, breastfeeding and healthy eating. Vouchers can be exchanged atregistered retailers, including supermarkets, pharmacies and community foodinitiatives. Health professionals play an important role supporting applications forHealthy Start, providing advice on healthy eating and breastfeeding and signpostingto local groups of organisations providing practical food skills support for families.1.18 As well as the Breastfeeding etc (Scotland) Act, mentioned earlier, there isalso employment law in relation to pregnant and breastfeeding women. Pregnantemployees are entitled to 52 weeks maternity leave. The law also recognises theimportance of breastfeeding and it is protected under Health and Safety legislation.Mothers should be encouraged to continue breastfeeding after returning to work andemployers can support more mothers to do so by creating a supportive environment.Employers have a duty to assess the risk to employees who are pregnant, havegiven birth in the last six months or who are breastfeeding.1.19 There is a range of international policy in respect of maternal and infantnutrition, which is important to consider, including the World Health Organisation’s(WHO) International Code on Marketing of Breast Milk Substitute. The code waslaunched in 1981 to protect all infants from inappropriate marketing of infant formula,promote and protect breastfeeding and ensure the safe and appropriate use ofbreast milk substitutes. The issue is reserved to the UK Government, which is asignatory and in 1995 the UK Government implemented Infant Formula and Followon Formula Regulations rather than the WHO Code.1.20 As well as this WHO published a Global Strategy for Infant and Young ChildFeeding in 2003 to refocus the world attention on the impact that feeding practiceshave on the nutritional status, growth, development and health, and thus the survivalof infants and young children.1.21 The Protection, Promotion and Support of Breastfeeding in Europe: ABlueprint for Action was launched in 2004 and revised in 2008, with input fromScotland. The recommendations in the blueprint have been used as a basis for thedevelopment of the Maternal and Infant Nutrition Framework.1.22 Work done by UNICEF in relation to maternal and infant nutrition includes theInnocenti Declaration and the Baby Friendly Initiative. The Declaration was adoptedby 30 national Governments in 1990 and updated in 2005. It identified roles andresponsibilities of key stakeholders and emphasises that these responsibilities needto be met to achieve an environment that enables mothers, families and other caregivers to make informed decisions about optimal infant feeding.