The percentage of babies breastfed at the three-month developmental check-up has increased 18.6% since 2015, a progress report into the Breastfeeding Action Plan has found.

The report, published in October, recorded a fourfold increase in the number of dedicated infant feeding specialists available to support mothers (increasing from 15 to 59 since 2017).

Other highlights from the report were:

• A new National Infant Feeding Education programme is underway for HSE staff
• Almost 22,000 queries answered via the HSE online breastfeeding support service since 2016.

Laura McHugh, HSE national breastfeeding co-ordinator, said: “It’s great to see all that’s been achieved over the last few years. Despite challenges, we have seen increased supports for breastfeeding mothers in hospitals and the community as well as the upward trend of breastfeeding rates. It is encouraging progress but we know there is a lot more work to be done to ensure every family is supported to have the best possible infant feeding journey, every step of the way.

“In response to parents’ feedback and new evidence, we have recently developed a new National Infant Feeding Education Programme for midwives and public health nurses around the country. This new resource will help ensure parents receive consistent, up to date, evidence- based advice and information from the HSE health experts supporting them.”

This year, the theme for National Breastfeeding Week was ‘Supporting you from Bump to Baby and Beyond’. 

Sheila Lucey, infant feeding specialist in West Cork, said: “True to this theme, we are keen to encourage mums-to-be to consider preparing for feeding while pregnant. Please reach out and come along to the local community breastfeeding group before baby arrives, to help with preparation and planning ahead. 

“Our support groups are safe spaces for mothers at all stages, whether someone is pregnant and thinking about breastfeeding, new to breastfeeding and have questions, or are having problems with breastfeeding. We are here to provide non-judgemental advice and support at each and every one of the 215 breastfeeding groups around the country.