Minister for Public Health, Wellbeing and the National Drugs Strategy, Hildegarde Naughton has marked World Breastfeeding Week with a visit to a HSE-run breastfeeding support group.
The Minister met with new mothers and their babies at Clonakilty Breastfeeding Support Group, based in Clonakilty Primary Care Centre.
The group is facilitated by public health nurse and lactation consultant Sheila Lucey, one of 55 lactation consultants employed by the HSE.
The number of HSE lactation consultant posts has more than doubled since 2021 due to recurring funding of €1.58 million.
This expanded service is among several initiatives aimed at increasing Ireland’s breastfeeding rates in order to improve child and maternal health.
An updated infant feeding education programme for midwives and public health nurses is currently being piloted and will be rolled out nationally this year.
Minister Naughton said:
“As well as being a lovely bonding experience for mother and baby, breastfeeding offers babies excellent protection from infection and promotes healthy growth and development.
“We also know that prolonged breastfeeding can reduce the risk of ovarian and breast cancer.
“I’m very encouraged by the initiatives currently underway to improve Ireland’s breastfeeding rates, and the work being done now will have long-term positive health benefits for the population.
“I’m determined that we will continue to offer and expand appropriate supports for women who wish to breastfeed.
“The HSE’s National breastfeeding Implementation group will review progress under the current National Breastfeeding Action Plan 2016-2023 and I look forward to receiving feedback which will lay the foundations for further progress in this very important area.”
Chief Medical Officer Professor Breda Smyth said:
“Improving Ireland’s breastfeeding rates is a priority for me in order to improve long term population health.
“We know that even small amounts of breastmilk, particularly in the first few days, is beneficial and helps to boost babies’ immune systems. It can also help post-partum recovery.
“I would encourage breastfeeding mothers to link in with the supports available to them, including HSE lactation consultants and the HSE’s online breastfeeding support service.
I’d encourage any woman who is breastfeeding or preparing to breastfeed to use the excellent resources available on the HSE’s mychild.ie website.”