Deficiencies in breast feeding support across the healthcare system have been highlighted in new research from TU Dublin. This has found several reasons for the low rates of breastfeeding in Ireland.

Participants described how breastfeeding was well-promoted during pregnancy, but there was not enough support to overcome challenges after the baby was born. Often, formula was offered instead of help with breastfeeding, which participants associated with a healthcare system that is under-resourced. One participant commented: “midwives do a lot with limited resources,” and another said, “I really struggled some of the nights the midwives seemed a lot more stretched.”

The research paper by lecturer in nutrition at TU Dublin, Dr Liz O’Sullivan, found breastfeeding supports were often inaccessible because staff had no time, or the supports themselves were inadequate or unhelpful, and at times physically inappropriate.

Dr O’Sullivan collaborated with Bainne Beatha, a parent-led breastfeeding advocacy group, to survey mothers about their experiences of breastfeeding support in the Irish healthcare system in early 2022. They received a huge response to their survey, with over 5,400 participants. 

Though the results paint a bleak picture, there were many positive comments made about support received from healthcare professionals, which Dr O’Sullivan thinks is promising:

“The positive remarks made about healthcare professionals who had the time to give breastfeeding support - with some participants describing them as “superb” or “amazing” - shows how great the situation could be if staff just had the capacity. At the moment, they seem to be simply run off their feet.”

The survey findings were presented to the Women’s Parliamentary Caucus and led to the establishment of a breastfeeding sub-committee of the Caucus. The Sub-committee, along with Dr O’Sullivan and Deborah Byrne of Bainne Beatha, met with Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly, at the end of June this year to discuss their concerns.