Feeding problems: Breastfeeding in Ireland

Lack of support in the community is often cited as the main reason for Ireland’s low breastfeeding rates but that is slowly starting to change, lactation consultant Orla Dorgan believes.

“In other cultures the mums, aunts and friends all breastfed and it is part of the norm but we don’t have that here, it’s a very new culture to us,” says Orla, a practice nurse who qualified as a IBCLC (International Board Certified Lactation Consultant) last year and is based in North East Cork.

Rates are increasing she says particularly in areas where mothers have better access to support groups run by the HSE or parent-to-parent support organisations like Friends of Breastfeeding.