HSE publishes Breastfeeding Action Plan Progress Report (2016-2023) ahead of National Breastfeeding Week 2024

Ahead of National Breastfeeding Week, (1 to 7 October), the HSE has published the Breastfeeding Action Plan Progress Report for 2016 to 2023. Key highlights include:

• almost a fourfold increase in the number of dedicated infant feeding specialists available to support mothers (increasing from 15 to 59 since 2017)
• new National Infant Feeding Education programme underway for HSE staff
• an 18.6% increase in the percentage* of babies breastfed at the 3 months developmental check-up since 2015
• almost 22,000 queries answered via the HSE online breastfeeding support service since 2016.

Laura McHugh, HSE National Breastfeeding Coordinator, said:

“It’s great to see all that’s been achieved over the last few years. Despite challenges, we have seen increased supports for breastfeeding mothers in hospitals and the community as well as the upward trend of breastfeeding rates. It is encouraging progress but we know there is a lot more work to be done to ensure every family is supported to have the best possible infant feeding journey, every step of the way.

In response to parents’ feedback and new evidence, we have recently developed a new National Infant Feeding Education Programme for midwives and public health nurses around the country. This new resource will help ensure parents receive consistent, up to date, evidence-based advice and information from the HSE health experts supporting them.”

This year the theme for National Breastfeeding Week is ‘Supporting you from Bump to Baby and Beyond.’ Sheila Lucey, infant feeding specialist in West Cork, said:

“True to this, we are keen to encourage mums-to-be to consider preparing for feeding while pregnant. Please reach out and come along to the local community breastfeeding group before baby arrives, to help with preparation and planning ahead.

Our support groups are safe spaces for mothers at all stages, whether someone is pregnant and thinking about breastfeeding, new to breastfeeding and have questions, or are having problems with breastfeeding. We are here to provide non-judgemental advice and support at each and every one of the 215 breastfeeding groups around the country. Support people are also welcome, whether that is dad, partner, granny, grandad or a trusted friend. Take the opportunity to ask those questions or alleviate any concerns you may have.”

Skilled breastfeeding supports are available in all maternity units and hospitals, in local health services, and online where parents can ask breastfeeding experts questions at mychild.ie. Since 2015 almost 22,000 questions have been answered online by HSE experts.

Common questions include:

• is baby getting enough?
• how to settle baby?
• how to treat sore nipples?
• how best to express and store milk?
• can I take certain medication while breastfeeding?

Kelsie O’Mahony, mother of 2, living in Schull, west Cork, shared her experience of overcoming persistent blocked ducts and mastitis with her daughter Halle:

“I am very grateful for the expert help and advice from my local public health nurse, Sheila, in getting through the persistent issues I had with blocked ducts on my right breast in particular with breastfeeding Halle. I wouldn’t have been able to breastfeed for 8 weeks, let alone exclusively breastfeeding Halle for 8 months, without the constant support from the breastfeeding group and help from Sheila.”

Minister for Public Health, Wellbeing and the National Drugs Strategy, Colm Burke said: 

“It is very positive to see that, with investment in resources in breastfeeding supports, there is an increase in the numbers of new mothers choosing to breastfeed throughout the country. The health benefits for both mothers and their infants in the short term are significant and continued breastfeeding can reduce the risk of long-term health outcomes such as obesity, diabetes and some cancers.

Helping more mothers to breastfeed is crucial to improve long term population health and we must continue our efforts to support parents who want to breastfeed their children. We all have a role to play to promote breastfeeding; within our communities, in public services, in the workplace, along with the invaluable support of volunteer breastfeeding groups and dedicated staff in the health service.”

National Breastfeeding Week is a HSE-led event, marked the first week of October each year.  Details of local breastfeeding support groups and the HSE ask our breastfeeding expert support service, are available on mychild.ie, as well as practical advice across a wide range of breastfeeding and other parenting and child health topics.

To join the HSE parenting and breastfeeding community online, follow the HSE mychild.ie Facebook page and hse_mychild on Instagram #hsemychild #breastfeeding #breastfeedingweek.