Media articles published this week carried stories about research being carried out to establish how many babies are readmitted to hospital with neonatal hypernatraemic dehydration (NHD), suggesting that these figures were on the rise because of an increase in the number of women heeding the “breast is best” message.

While more research into NHD is to be welcomed, the implication that breastfeeding itself is directly linked to an increase in the number of babies suffering from NHD is inaccurate and potentially alarmist. Almost every woman is capable of successfully breastfeeding her baby if she receives appropriate information and support. The benefits of breastfeeding include greatly reduced risk of hospitalisation for illnesses such as gastroenteritis and respiratory diseases, reduced likelihood of diabetes and better mental development. In other words, the benefits of breastfeeding to the individual and society are extensive and profound, and we must take great care to protect and support breastfeeding.

Unfortunately many mothers in the UK do not receive the support they need during and after childbirth, to ensure that breastfeeding is successful and prevent basic problems such as poor attachment or insufficient milk flow which can, in extreme cases, lead to dehydration. The reason they do not receive this support is because many health workers are not trained sufficiently to provide adequate care or notice when things are going wrong. This coupled with poor or absent routine practices and policies for the early detection and treatment of problems can leave babies vulnerable.

The World Health Organisation and UNICEF are addressing this problem by encouraging all health-care facilities to participate in the Baby Friendly Initiative which requires that staff be trained and polices introduced to protect breastfeeding and ensure safety - practices that help mothers avoid the acute distress caused by breastfeeding problems.