Policies and Guidelines - Breastfeeding

HSE policy on the marketing of breast milk substitutes

Working within the Code - HSE policy on the marketing of breast milk substitutes: A guide for staff

Guidance for Voluntary Breastfeeding Groups during the COVID-19 pandemic 

Breastfeeding policy for staff working in the public health service

Infant Feeding Policy for Maternity Neonatal Services 2019

Infant Feeding Policy for PCTs and CHOs 2019

Guidelines on the Observation of a Breastfeed & Use of the Breastfeeding Observation Assessment Tool (BOAT) Resource

This guideline (published in July 2018 and updated in June 2022) provides guidance for public health nurses (PHNs) and registered midwives (RMs) on the observation and assessment of a breastfeed at the first/primary postnatal visit and use of the Breastfeeding Observation Assessment Tool (BOAT) resource. This resource was developed to assist PHNs and RMs to identify if breastfeeding is effective and in situations where a breastfeeding challenge is identified it provides guidance on the actions needed to resolve the challenge.

The ten steps to successful breastfeeding - poster

Breastfeeding in a Healthy Ireland

Breastfeeding in a Healthy Ireland - Health Service Breastfeeding Action Plan 2016 – 2021 (HSE, 2016) sets out the priority areas to be addressed over the next 5 years to enhance breastfeeding supports and to enable more mothers in Ireland to breastfeed.

Competence Framework for Breastfeeding Support

The Competence Framework for Breastfeeding Support was developed in 2015 by the School of Nursing and Midwifery, The University of Dublin, Trinity College Dublin, in conjunction with the Association of Lactation Consultants Ireland; HSE and the Education and Training Subgroup of the National Breastfeeding Strategy Implementation Committee.

Breastfeeding Policy for Primary Care Teams and Community Healthcare Organisations

The Breastfeeding Policy for Primary Care Teams and Community Healthcare areas was adopted as HSE policy in 2015.

Breastfeeding in Ireland Review and Evaluation Summary

Review and Evaluation of Breastfeeding in Ireland Strategic Action Plan. In 2013-4 the Institute of Public Health in Ireland undertook a Review & Evaluation of the 2005 Department of Health Breastfeeding Strategic Action. This Summary Report provides a summary of the findings and outlines the recommendations.

Breastfeeding in Ireland Review and Evaluation

In 2013-4 the Institute of Public Health in Ireland undertook a Review & Evaluation of the 2005 Department of Health Breastfeeding Strategic Action. This comprehensive report details the findings of the review and evaluation and makes recommendations which provide direction for future action in relation to breastfeeding in Ireland.