More mothers breastfeeding as HSE supports continue to grow

Breastfeeding rates in Ireland continue to rise with more than six in 10 babies breastfed at birth.

The percentage of babies breastfed at birth rose from 63.8% in 2019 to 65.8% last year while breastfeeding rates have also increased beyond the early weeks of life. More than half of three-month-old babies are breastfed at 51.5%, an increase of 16.1% over the last decade (35.4% in 2015), and the highest rates seen since 1988 when official records began.

Continued improvements in HSE breastfeeding supports are helping to drive this progress. Key initiatives include the recruitment of specialist lactation midwives and nurses, expansion of community-based breastfeeding support groups, access to feeding support through post-natal hubs and enhanced breastfeeding training for health care staff. 

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.

Minister of State with special responsibility for Public Health, Wellbeing and the National Drugs Strategy, Jennifer Murnane O’Connor TD said: “It is encouraging to see breastfeeding rates continue to rise, supported by significant investment in HSE resources and improved access to services for families.

"Over the past year, we have listened to mothers and families about the experiences and factors that shape infant feeding decisions, while also consulting healthcare professionals and other stakeholders who support them.

"This feedback will inform the new National Breastfeeding Strategy, which will be published later this year. Further details on the engagement process are available in the consultation report on the Healthy Ireland website.”

Laura McHugh, HSE National Breastfeeding Coordinator, Child Health Public Health, said: “In Ireland, more than six in 10 mothers now start breastfeeding their babies, reflecting steady progress in recent years as investment in breastfeeding services and supports continues to grow.

“While newborns have natural instincts to breastfeed, it is a learned skill for both mother and baby that takes time, patience and practice. Access to the right support at the right time can make all the difference. Practical guidance from public health nurses, local breastfeeding support groups and lactation nurses and midwives can help families build confidence, overcome challenges early and give breastfeeding the best possible start.”

All midwives and public health nurses are trained to support mothers with breastfeeding, with 805 healthcare professionals completing the new National Infant Feeding Education Programme over the past two years. For mothers who need additional support, frontline healthcare professionals can refer them to specialist lactation midwives and nurses. There are now 60 specialist infant feeding staff in post nationwide, helping families address breastfeeding challenges early and build confidence in the weeks after birth.

A range of other supports are also available to families. Postnatal hubs provide multidisciplinary care for mothers and babies for up to six weeks after birth, while local breastfeeding support groups offer peer support and practical advice in communities across the country. Parents 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 details of one of the 255 local breastfeeding services and support groups in their area.

In 2026, €390,000 in funding was provided for breast pumps, helping mothers of sick and pre-term babies who need additional support to establish or continue breastfeeding.

Fiona Carty, Infant Feeding/Lactation Nurse based at the HSE Primary Care Centre in Santry, Dublin, said: “Breastfeeding is more than just food. Uniquely tailored for each baby’s needs, breast milk adapts as they grow and changes to meet their needs and helps protects them from illness. It can take time to get breastfeeding established during the intense period in the days and weeks after giving birth. My advice to new mothers is to take it one feed at a time, you and your baby are learning together, and remember, you are not alone – help and support is available.”

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.

National Breastfeeding Week is a HSE-led event, marked in the first week of October each year.