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Women aged less than 20 years are less likely to initiate and sustain breastfeeding until their baby is 6 weeks and older compared with older mothers, according to the Infant Feeding Survey ( McAndrew et al, 2010 ). The ‘vouchers for breastfeeding’ scheme, which was trialled in 2015–2016 with more than 10 000 women in parts of Yorkshire and Derbyshire, offered mothers shopping vouchers worth up to £200 if they provided breast milk to their baby up to the age of 6 months. Over the period of this large-scale scheme, a parallel small-scale intervention was commissioned and offered by a family nurse partnership (FNP) to first-time young mothers in an adjacent area. This article reports on the evaluation of the initiative within the local FNP service. The results indicate that the scheme was acceptable and deliverable within this setting.

Breastfeeding rates in Ireland remain among the lowest in Europe, with exclusive breastfeeding rates of 44% at discharge from hospital. The knowledge and attitudes of health professionals are important factors in the promotion and support of breastfeeding. This study was conducted to assess knowledge, attitudes and self-efficacy in breastfeeding in a group of primary health professionals, and the barriers to providing support. Data were collected from 256 primary care professionals (GPs, public health nurses (PHNs) and practice nurses) using a self-administered questionnaire. This study highlights some of the issues for health professionals in providing support for breastfeeding and a need for improved knowledge about the benefits of breastfeeding and how to provide practical support.