HSE South West works with communities to mark National Breastfeeding Week in Kerry

HSE South West works with communities to mark National Breastfeeding Week in Kerry

September 26 2025

Note – spokespersons and case-studies with photos are available, contact press.southwest@hse.ie for details

DOZENS of free events celebrating the benefits of breastfeeding will take place across Kerry during National Breastfeeding Week, which runs from October 1 to 7.

The theme of this year’s event is ‘Hold Me Close: The Power of Skin-to-Skin Contact” which will also be reflected in the many events planned for Cork/Kerry.

Olympic athlete Sonia O’Sullivan is backing National Breastfeeding Week, saying:

“I encourage everyone to be open minded about breastfeeding and see it as a natural thing to do. It’s convenient, efficient, and really helps you as a mother to get back to pre-pregnancy shape in a very short time.”

HSE South West is collaborating with local breastfeeding support groups, libraries, hospitals, and communities to host free family friendly events to celebrate and promote the importance of breastfeeding.

The full list of events is online and includes talks at local libraries; coffee mornings and celebrations at HSE Primary Care Centres. Free events are also taking place University Hospital Kerry and there will be online webinars for both the public and healthcare professionals.

Catherine Buckley, Infant Feeding Specialist Public Health Nurse, HSE South West said:

“Breastfeeding is the perfect start in life. It provides optimal nutrition, strengthens the immune system and nurtures emotional connection. Skin-to-skin contact is a powerful way to begin, benefiting every baby and every parent.”

For many new mothers, support from their partner can make all the difference.

Owen Browne, a personal trainer in Beaufort Co Kerry, supported his wife Meaghan when they had their new baby Fion.

He said that attending antenatal classes was a significant support, and he advised parents to ask questions if they have them. His other advice included:

• “Help your breastfeeding partner by cooking nourishing food.
• Give a hand with positioning and helping to make baby and Mum comfy when they need it
• Help your partner to save their energy by helping with simple chores and shopping
• Sometimes you can feel a bit obsolete but it can be as simple as giving them lots of space and comfort when they need it
• Help your little one to prepare for the end of breastfeeding with a story book a couple of weeks in advance, it made the world of difference.
• Be a supportive shoulder, it can be exhausting and daunting for new parents in the beginning.”

Helen Sheehy, infant feeding specialist added that freezing colostrum in advance of birth can also allow partners to provide support directly after delivery.

“Hand-expressed colostrum which strengthens babies’ immunity can be brought into the hospital for the baby, while Mum’s milk supply comes in and she can get some rest . This is often the first actionable step for a partner on the journey as they are often the one who knows about the plan, knows where the colostrum is stored and transports the precious cargo into the hospital to feed their little one”.

HSE breastfeeding supports include maternity hospitals, infant feeding specialists, lactation consultants, public health nurses, practice nurses, general practitioners, online resources and local breastfeeding support groups.

Across Cork and Kerry there are more than 27 breastfeeding support groups, free to attend and open without booking. These groups offer professional guidance and peer encouragement for breastfeeding parents, and more information is available on mychild.ie.