HSE National Breastfeeding week takes place from Saturday 1st to Friday 7th of October. The theme this year is ‘Breastfeeding Friendly’, which aims to encourage mums to breastfeed while out and about, making it a normal, natural part of daily life.
This year TV personality and new mum Pamela Flood is supporting the event. Pamela said, ‘Breastfeeding has been brilliant for both me and my little boy. Not only has it been the best for him nutritionally, it is so handy and easy to do anywhere. As a first time mum you constantly wonder if you're doing everything right but with breastfeeding there are no doubts or worries that it's the very best you can do for your child.’
Siobhan Hourigan, National Breastfeeding Coordinator, HSE, says ‘We, as health service providers, want to ensure that mothers are welcomed and helped to feel comfortable to breastfeed their children when and where the need arises. Breastfeeding is perfectly natural and is so convenient when you are out and about with your child.’
The World Health Organisation, Department of Health and the HSE recommend that babies are exclusively breastfeed for the first 6 months of life and from 6 months on continue to be breastfed and receive nourishing foods up to 2 years old or beyond.
To mark National Breastfeeding Week there are events taking place across the country including:
- The 2011 Quintessence Breastfeeding Challenge, organised by Friends of Breastfeeding, takes place in Dublin, Cork and Offaly on Saturday 1st October.
- Lactation Consultant / Midwife Information Stand every day during National Breastfeeding Week in the foyer of the Coombe Women's and Infants University Hospital.
- Nutrition and Breastfeeding workshop in McLaughlin's Cafe, Knocknacarra, Co Galway on Tuesday 4th October 2011 at 2.30pm.
- West Kerry Primary Care Team, La Leche League and HSE Nutritionist are hosting a coffee morning in Bluirini Blasta Lispole, Dingle on Thursday 6th October at 11.30am.
- Ballygall Breastfeeding support group Glasnevin/Finglas hosting a coffee morning in Fr Maloney Hall on Thursday 6th October, 10.30am -12.30pm
- Cuidiu coffee morning in Go Safari Activity Center outside Carrigtwohill, Cork on Thursday 6th October, 10.30am-12.30pm.
A full list of events around the country is available on www.breastfeeding.ie.
Breastfeeding support groups are available from HSE Public Health Nurses, La Leche League and Cuidui. Midwives, GPs, Practice Nurses and Dieticians also provide one-to-one information. For details of support in your county visit our list of breastfeeding support groups arounds Ireland here or log on to www.breastfeeding.ie or call the HSE Infoline 1850 24 1850.
www.breastfeeding.ie contains lots of information for breastfeeding mothers, and organisations and businesses who want to support them, including breastfeeding group listings, information leaflets for download, a questions and answers section and much more.
Expert breastfeeding support is also provided by voluntary organisations such as La Leche League www.lalecheleagueireland.com, Cuidiú - Irish Childbirth Trust www.cuidiu-ict.ie and Friends of Breastfeeding www.friendsofbreastfeeding.ie
