Call for more breastfeeding-friendly areas

There are calls to make Ireland more friendly towards breastfeeding.

The National Women's Council of Ireland (NWCI)is urging shops, restaurants and other public spaces to put up signs which welcome new mums to feed their babies.

The rate of breastfeeding here stands at just 56%, compared to a UK rate of over 80%.

"We think we think mothers should be supported to breastfeed," said NWCI

Director Orla O'Connor.

"How to do that is we need to make public and private comfortable and welcome for that to happen,

"For example, one of the things might be signage that might say this is a breastfeeding friendly place; and of course all places should be - but the signage might actually help and be supportive to mothers."