Number of babies being breastfed is rising, says HSE

The number of babies being breastfed is continuing to grow, with HSE figures for 2022 showing that 62% of babies were breastfed when the public health nurse made their first visit after birth, compared to 59% in 2021, and 55% in 2017.

The figures were highlighted to coincide with HSE National Breastfeeding Week 2023 which runs from October 1 to October 7. 

This year’s theme is “making our communities and workplaces more breastfeeding friendly”.

The HSE says it aims to highlight supports available for starting breastfeeding and for keeping it up while returning to work.

In July, the government extended the entitlement to breastfeeding breaks in the workplace from the previous period of six months up to two years.

Thirty-five-and-a-half new lactation and infant feeding posts were recruited in the last three years.

There are now 57 lactation and infant feeding staff members nationwide to provide specialist support in all maternity and public health nursing services, double the amount employed in 2021.

Minister for Public Health, Wellbeing and the National Drugs Strategy Hildegarde Naughton said: “Improving Ireland’s breastfeeding rates will help to improve long term population health.”

Laura McHugh, HSE national breastfeeding coordinator said: “We know from our data that more mothers are breastfeeding every year. Parents can get support and advice on establishing breastfeeding from their midwife and public health nurse.

"They can also ask them questions about other aspects of caring for newborn babies, such as recognising what is normal in the early weeks and soothing a crying or unsettled baby, common concerns for parents highlighted in a paper published by The Lancet earlier this year. Hospital and community lactation consultants can offer support with specific breastfeeding queries and challenges."

She said that the number of breastfeeding groups is also growing in every county, with 180 groups running and both in-person and online options are available.

All groups, including the 21 in Cork, are listed on mychild.ie.

Support for parents is also available on the HSE’s mychild.ie website.