People take NHS advice about drinking and breastfeeding at Christmas

The NHS website on drinking alcohol while breastfeeding saw the biggest increase in visits over Christmas last year, new figures reveal.

The most viewed pages on Christmas and Boxing Day in 2023 were advice for coughs, colds and chest infections.

But some people also wanted to know about it drinking alcohol and breastfeedingAlcohol poisoning and rabies, NHS England said.

Page views on burning and scorching and how to treat them also increased.

In terms of health conditions, the most viewed page after COVID-19 was about vomiting in winter norovirus With 19,170 trips over the 48-hour festival period in 2023.

Another 17,398 visits – almost one every 10 seconds – were for chest infections, while pages on diarrhea and vomiting received 11,789 views.

Views to the NHS website relating to breastfeeding and drinking were down overall, but increased by 146% – from 1,028 to 2,526 – compared to the week before Christmas.

The NHS advises that alcohol can pass into your breast milk and then into your baby when you breast-feed.

It adds that occasional drinking is unlikely to harm your baby, especially if you wait at least two hours before drinking, but warns: “Regularly drinking more than the recommended limit. “Can be harmful to you and your baby.”

People seeking information also increased by 60% alcohol poisoning Hits during the festive period ranged from 1,268 to 2,008 compared to a normal 48 hours.

and visit about pages animal and human bite The number increased by a third from 1,128 to 1,494.

Hits to NHS pages about rabies increased by 123% over Christmas to 1,564, compared to 700 the week before.

Page views about burns and scalds and their treatment increased 50% compared to the week before Christmas, from 1,782 to 2,748.

Professor Sir Stephen Powis, medical director of NHS England, said accidents and injuries can happen and the NHS website and NHS app are available around the clock to provide help and information.

“So if you get burned while putting roast potatoes in the oven, or you’ve been infected with a virus in the winter and want some help managing the symptoms, go to Find Helpful Advice on what to do The NHS website is the best place.”

He said NHS staff will be working hard throughout the festive season to care for those most in need.

Anyone who needs emergency assistance should contact 999 or 111 for less urgent health needs.