HSE to hold a number of events in Galway to mark National Breastfeeding Week

This year’s HSE National Breastfeeding Week, which takes place from 1-7 October is themed ‘Every step forward: Strengthening support for babies and families’, highlighting the important role that timely information and expert support play in helping families on their breastfeeding journey.

Nationally, more than six in 10 babies in Ireland are now breastfed at birth. The percentage of babies breastfed at birth increased from 63.8% in 2019 to 65.8% in 2025. Breastfeeding rates have also increased beyond the early weeks of life, with 51.5% of three-month-old babies breastfed, compared with 35.4% in 2015.

The HSE has expanded breastfeeding supports in recent years through the recruitment of specialist lactation midwives and nurses, community breastfeeding support groups, post-natal hubs and enhanced breastfeeding training for healthcare staff. There are now 60 specialist infant feeding staff nationwide, while 805 healthcare professionals have completed the new National Infant Feeding Education Programme over the past two years.

Frances Burke, Infant feeding/Lactation Nurse, based at the Primary Care Centres in Tuam and Shantalla Health Centre said, “Every drop of breastmilk promotes health for mother and baby. This unique bond, whether direct breast feeding or giving expressed breastmilk, is strengthened. Some breastfeeding journeys have challenges, we encourage mothers to reach out for support and we will help.”

Ruth, a mother who attended the HSE breastfeeding clinic in Shantalla Health Centre said, “The breastfeeding clinic in Shantalla Health Centre helped me exclusively breastfeed for five months and gave me the support and confidence to continue. Without this back up service I would not have continued.”

A number of events will take place across Galway during National Breastfeeding Week 2026.

• The Galway Public Health Nursing Department are hosting a Breastfeeding Coffee morning on 1 October from 11am-1pm in the Maldron Hotel, Sandy Road, Galway. There will be lactation consultants and the breastfeeding voluntary groups on hand to offer support and advice.
• On Monday 5 October at 11am, the HSE Community Nutrition and Dietetic Service are delivering a Supermarket Nutrition tour for healthy eating when breastfeeding. Call (087)1138148 for further details.
• La Leche League Galway invite expecting and new mothers and families to Coffee Morning Event in the Clybaun Hotel, Knocknacarra (H91F62V) on Wednesday 7 Oct from 10.30-12.30pm
• In University Hospital Galway there will be a promotional stand in the maternity department from the 1 – 7 October where expecting/new mothers and families can receive advice and supports around breastfeeding.
• Acute and Community Staff breastfeeding training takes place on 6 October from 12-1pm. Contact community lactation consultant for details on (087) 989 5207.
• On Wednesday, October 7 at 6.30pm, the HSE Community Nutrition and Dietetic Service are delivering a Supermarket Nutrition tour for healthy eating when pregnant. Call (087) 1138148 for further details

As part of National Breastfeeding Week, families in Galway are encouraged to explore the many supports available, both in the community and online:

• Local breastfeeding support groups run by Public Health Nurses, La Leche League and Cuidiú are active across Galway City and County, offering in-person and virtual meetups for new parents. Full details on www.mychild.ie.
• Public Health Nurses and Lactation Consultants (IBCLCs) continue to provide free one-to-one guidance after birth.
• Galway families can find up-to-date events and supports by following @HSEmychild on social media and using #HoldMeClose and #NBW2026.

These local events form part of the wider HSE National Breastfeeding Week campaign, which highlights continued improvements in breastfeeding rates and the expansion of breastfeeding supports available to families.

-ENDS-

Notes to Editor

See mychild.ie/breastfeeding for more information

Data source: https://about.hse.ie/publications/irish-maternity-indicator-system-national-report-2025/

Listen to the HSE Talking Health and Wellbeing podcast with Sheila Lucey, HSE advanced nurse practitioner and infant feeding specialist talking about Breastfeeding: Embracing Support & Building Confidence (episode #122). The HSE Talking Health and Wellbeing Podcast is available wherever you get your podcasts and on the HSE Health and Wellbeing YouTube channel

Mothers are encouraged to share their experiences of infant feeding support received from maternity and community healthcare professionals during pregnancy and after birth through the online infant feeding survey available on mychild.ie/breastfeeding. Since its launch last year, the survey has captured more than 2,100 interactions, including feedback from over 900 women on infant feeding care and support. The findings will help to shape local and national improvements to services, ensuring families have access to the support they need.

Respondents reported accessing a range of HSE services such as midwifery and public health nursing for feeding support in the post-natal period, as well as support from voluntary breastfeeding organisations. Most women reported good or excellent experiences with the healthcare professionals they encountered for infant feeding support. Almost half of respondents rated their overall experience of infant feeding support as 4/5, or 5/5.

Families can also access the HSE’s ‘Ask our breastfeeding expert’ service through mychild.ie, where they can email or live chat with lactation consultants and find information on local breastfeeding services and support groups.