To ask Her Majesty's Government what progress they are making in increasing levels of awareness about infants' nutrition. [HL4164]

The Government are committed to promoting breastfeeding as the best form of nutrition for infants and have undertaken a range of interventions to promote and raise awareness about infants’ nutrition. These include: an investment of £7 million to support primary care trusts to implement the Baby Friendly Initiative in hospitals and in the community; the provision of easily accessible and timely advice through the National Breastfeeding Helpline; the breastfeeding DVD “From Bump to Breastfeeding” given to all new mothers in England via their midwives and health visitors and a number of promotional materials provided and activities held locally during the National Breastfeeding Awareness Week. In addition, the department's Healthy Start scheme promotes breastfeeding to mothers from low-income and disadvantaged households.

The department will be conveying messages on breastfeeding and healthy weaning through the Change4Life under-twos’ marketing strategy to be launched later in 2009.