SIX in ten mothers who give birth at University Maternity Hospital Limerick (UMHL) breastfeed their babies, new figures have revealed.
The statistics come as events are being rolled out at the hospital to mark National Breastfeeding Week, the theme of which is ‘Every Breastfeed Makes a Difference’.
“National Breastfeeding Week provides a great opportunity to promote the importance of breastfeeding, to provide information on breastfeeding supports and to promote breastfeeding as the normal and healthy way to feed babies and young children,” said Margaret Hynes, lactation consultant at the Maternity Hospital.
“We are really excited that we have now reached a breastfeeding initiation rate of 60 per cent at the hospital, which is a new high for us. We are seeing a lot more women breastfeeding and it really is something to celebrate.”
The week will end this Sunday, October 7 following seven days of activity across the country – coffee mornings, support group events, and even a visit by breastfeeding mums and their babies to Áras an Uactaráin – to promote the importance of breastfeeding.
Among the events still to take place in UMHL are a Skills Workshop for expectant mothers on Thursday, October 4 (10.30am to 12.30pm) and a meeting of the Cuidiu Support Group for new mothers from 11am to 1pm on Friday, October 6.
UMHL has also endorsed the launch last week by Limerick City and County Council of “We’re Breastfeeding Friendly” – a campaign supported by Healthy Ireland that aims to help improve the health and wellbeing of breastfeeding mothers, babies and their families through by encouraging businesses, organisations and communities to become ‘Breastfeeding Friendly’.
At the HSE’s dedicated website – Breastfeeding.ie – there is a range of supports available for breastfeeding mums and their families, including the free Ask our Expert service and live Web Chat provided by Lactation Consultants (IBCLCs).
