We are delighted to once again be celebrating National Breastfeeding Week taking place from 1st to the 7th of October 2022.
Breastfeeding is the best start in life for your baby
Ahead of Breastfeeding Week we have released new figures that show an increase of three percent in breastfeeding initiation between 2020 and 2021. In addition to the increase in initiation rates, breastfeeding exclusively on discharge and mixed feeding on discharge also increased, both by one percent, when compared to the previous year.
Geraldine Cordon, Clinical Midwife Specialist in Lactation at the Rotunda Hospital said:
“We want to ensure that our patients feel supported on their breastfeeding journey, which can be challenging for many people in the early days“.
To continue to support parents on their breastfeeding journey, we have implemented several service developments, including the addition of two full-time lactation specialists to the lactation team, education, and training provision for midwifery staff in the of breastfeeding, a breast- pump loan scheme, and the purchase of reclining chairs and bedside cots for an easier breastfeeding experience.
We believe these measures have contributed to the increased breastfeeding trends, a subsequent 39% increase in capacity for consultations with patients and a 36% increase in neo-natal ICU consultations in the same period.
Marina Cullen, Clinical Midwife Specialist in Lactation at the Rotunda Hospital said:
“Where possible, we recommend that women engage with our online resources on the hospital website (rotunda.ie) and with community support groups before birth to help them prepare for infant feeding. This also helps to facilitate a valuable support network after discharge as they embark on their breastfeeding journey”.
The Rotunda Hospital recommends breastfeeding because it is the best start in life for babies and to support this we provide the highest standard of care so that pregnant women and new mothers receive the support they need to breastfeed successfully.
Research shows that breastfeeding can really help to start your baby off on the road to good health. The World Health Organisation (WHO) states that breastfeeding is the best form of nutrition for infants and recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life and thereafter infants should receive complementary foods with continued breastfeeding up to 2 years of age or beyond.
Below are some useful links with Breastfeeding advice from our experts –
Advice on breastfeeding in those early days
Learn more about the benefits of breastfeeding
Tips on continuing to breastfeed