Clare mam shares breastfeeding experience ahead of National Breastfeeding Week
Expanded service strengthens efforts to improve breastfeeding rates in Mid West region
Breastfeeding rates continue to increase across Clare, Limerick, and North Tipperary, with the expansion of much-needed support services for new and expectant mothers in the region.
Ahead of National Breastfeeding Week, October 1-7, experts and advocates will mark these milestones and highlight the major health benefits of breastfeeding at a number of special events.
This year’s theme is ‘Supporting you from Bump to Baby and Beyond’.
All counties in the Mid West have seen increases in breastfeeding rates between 2015 and 2023 (see below), and support services in the region continue to work towards improving rates across all counties.
Including University Maternity Hospital Limerick, there are 21 breastfeeding support services in the Mid West region.
There are six HSE lactation specialists now available in the area, including the recruitment of a new lactation specialist in recent months.
Dr Phil Fitzgerald, Principal Medical Officer, Chairperson of HSE Mid West Infant Feeding Committee, said: “Breastfeeding provides benefits to both baby and Mum. Breastfeeding protects against childhood infections and positively influences a baby’s brain development, as well as lowering the risk of childhood obesity.
"Breastfeeding also has many benefits for mothers. It reduces the risk of breast and ovarian cancer and may reduce the long-term risk of obesity and type 2 diabetes. It is also free and convenient – always ready and at the right temperature when needed.
“Thinking about your feeding options is an important part of getting ready for your baby," Dr Fitzgerald continued.
"It is important to get the most up to date and accurate information to help make the best decision for Baby, Mum and the family in their specific situation.
"We are all entitled to our own choice, and people’s situations differ but do consider breastfeeding. Whatever your decision, you will be supported by your healthcare team.”
Clare mother Alicja Ryan spoke of her experience of breastfeeding twins. “With breastfeeding I always said I would try, my friends had difficulties," she said.
"I had an emergency section 10 weeks early, I didn’t think I’d be able to breastfeed them. It happened that I had really good supply. I wasn’t closed to breastfeeding or bottle feeding,
"I didn’t want to disappoint myself. We had issues with latching and Gobnait in Co Clare was a great help. Sheena also helped me in Limerick. Mam nipple shields really helped in hospital. They started latching around their due date.
“When we were in NICU in Limerick, Sheena came to us every week, or twice a week, and she showed us how to hold twins and feed them at the same time," Alicja explained.
"Gobnait runs community groups which are great for new mums. They are very helpful when you feel lost, there is always help and advice. It helped me a lot to go out to meet others, and chat about breastfeeding especially to other twin mums, as you always feel so welcome."
Learn more at mychild.ie/breastfeeding.
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