Campaign aims to highlight advantages of breastfeeding

FORMER Miss Ireland and first time mum Pamela Flood joined breastfeeding mothers and their babies in Dublin to launch National Breastfeeding Week.

Supported by the Health Service Executive (HSE), the campaign aims to portray breastfeeding when out and about as a normal, natural part of daily life.

Ms Flood, a former presenter of RTÉ’s Off the Rails, said breastfeeding had been great for both her and her little boy.

“Not only has it been the best for him nutritionally, it is so handy and easy to do anywhere,” she said.

National Breastfeeding Week runs from today until Friday and the HSE will lead the initiative by supporting breastfeeding on its premises.

HSE centres and hospitals will display breastfeeding friendly posters and other promotional materials to show support and provide a welcoming atmosphere for breastfeeding mums.

Events taking place throughout the country will highlight that breastfeeding is the perfect way to feed children and also fits in with the demands of modern life.

The campaign will also highlight that women should be supported to continue to breastfeed as long as they wish.

HSE national breastfeeding coordinator, Siobhán Hourigan, said about half of all babies are being breastfed when leaving hospital — an improvement in the one in three rate recorded in 2000.

“Rates are still low compared to other countries. We must continue in our efforts to encourage women to breastfeed and to highlight the positive benefits for them and their baby,” she said.

She said the number of mothers breastfeeding at three months reduces often because mothers feel there is a lack of support.

For more log onto www.breastfeeding.ie