Community Healthcare Cavan, Donegal, Leitrim, Monaghan, Sligo
Supports for mothers beginning breastfeeding and for those who wish to continue on their return to work and beyond are being highlighted ahead of HSE National Breastfeeding Week 2023, which begins on Sunday, October 1st.
This year’s theme is ‘Making our communities and workplaces more breastfeeding friendly’. It aims to highlight local supports for parents and the recent expansion in law of breastfeeding breaks during work hours up until to a child’s second birthday. Parents can get tips on continuing breastfeeding and going back to work and chat with a breastfeeding expert on mychild.ie
Recent initiatives to help support breastfeeding include:
- 35.5 new lactation and infant feeding posts recruited in the last 3 years. There are now 57 lactation and infant feeding staff members nationwide to provide specialist support in all maternity and public health nursing services. This represents a doubling of lactation consultant posts employed in the HSE since 2021.
- In July, the government extended the entitlement to breastfeeding breaks in the workplace from the previous period of six months up to two years.
The number of babies being breastfed is continuing to grow. New HSE figures for 2022 show that 62% of babies were breastfed when the public health nurse made their first visit after birth. The figure was 59% in 2021. In 2017, it was 55% and has been rising since then.
A number of events will be held in Donegal to mark the week.
Mary McFeely, HSE Lactation Consultant Donegal said “The theme for this year's National Breastfeeding Week is ‘Making our Communities and Workplaces more breastfeeding friendly.’ With this in mind, I warmly invite breastfeeding mums to join me in a "Letterkenny Latch on " in Cafe Trax, Letterkenny shopping centre on Monday 2nd October at 10 am. This is hoped to raise awareness of breastfeeding, to normalise breastfeeding in public spaces and to help communities positively support Breastfeeding.
“Donegal Community Care would like to invite mothers and their families to attend an event in the Radisson Hotel on Wednesday 4th October from 10.30 am to 1 pm. This is to showcase the supports available for breastfeeding mums from the hospital to the wider community. Expectant mothers who wish to obtain further information are most welcome and informal talks on the day will be available. This event is open to all and refreshments will be served on the day.”
Events in Donegal include;
Providing a Warm Chain of Breastfeeding support for mothers in Donegal;
There will be a representative from the Human Milk Bank in Enniskillen attending
Where; The Radisson Blu Hotel, Letterkenny
When; Wednesday 4th October 2023- 10.30 am to 1.00 pm
THE BIG LETTERKENNY ‘LATCH ON’
Where; Café Trax, Letterkenny Shopping centre
When; Monday 2nd October- 10 am
Contact Mary Mac Feely 087 9592896
Support for parents is also available on the HSE’s mychild.ie, including:
To join the HSE parenting and breastfeeding community, follow for expert tips, videos and updates on the HSE mychild.ie Facebook page and hse_mychild on Instagram #hsemychild #breastfeeding #breastfeedingweek
Last updated on: 29 / 09 / 2023
