New data reveals that the NHS website experienced a significant increase in visits to its page on drinking while breastfeeding during the Christmas season in 2023.
The page saw a dramatic 146% rise in views compared to the week before Christmas, jumping from 1,028 to 2,526 visits.
Other popular topics on Christmas and Boxing Day included advice on managing coughs, colds, chest infections, alcohol poisoning, and even rabies, according to NHS England.
The NHS page on burns and scalds also attracted a substantial increase in traffic, with visits rising by 50% to 2,748 compared to 1,782 in the preceding week.
Among health conditions, norovirus, commonly referred to as the winter vomiting bug, emerged as the most viewed topic after COVID-19.
The norovirus page garnered 19,170 views during the two-day festive period. Meanwhile, 17,398 visits were made to pages on chest infections, equating to one visit every 10 seconds, while diarrhoea and vomiting advice was sought by 11,789 users.
Alcohol and Breastfeeding
The NHS advises that while occasional alcohol consumption is unlikely to harm a breastfeeding baby, it is best to wait at least two hours after drinking before feeding. The website cautions that drinking above recommended limits regularly can have harmful effects on both mother and child.
Other Health Topics See Increases
Information on alcohol poisoning recorded a 60% spike, with visits increasing from 1,268 to 2,008 over the festive period.
Pages about animal and human bites saw a 33% rise, with views reaching 1,494 compared to 1,128.
Interest in rabies information rose by 123%, from 700 views the previous week to 1,564 during Christmas.
Expert Advice for Festive Health Needs
Professor Sir Stephen Powis, NHS England’s Medical Director, emphasised the importance of having reliable health advice at hand during the festive season.
“If you burn yourself while cooking or catch a winter virus, the NHS website and app are available 24/7 to provide trusted guidance,” he said.
Prof Powis also commended NHS staff for their dedication to patient care throughout the holidays and reminded the public to call 999 for emergencies or 111 for less urgent medical needs.
For accurate health advice on common seasonal ailments and emergencies, the NHS website remains a trusted resource.