The HSE has published the Breastfeeding Action Plan Progress Report (2016-2023) ahead of National Breastfeeding Week 2024. Breastfeeding protects babies against lots of illnesses and is designed to meet their every need.
Locally in Sligo/ Leitrim/ West Cavan and South Donegal there are supports and resources available for parents to protect and promote breastfeeding.
64% of mothers are breastfeeding on discharge from Sligo University Hospital and 44% of mothers are still breastfeeding 3 months later.
There are five breastfeeding support groups now available for parents in Sligo Leitrim South Donegal.
There are two HSE Lactation Specialists available in Sligo Leitrim South Donegal.
Lynn Cunningham is based in Sligo University Hospital and Patricia Carroll is based in the community
In Sligo University Hospital Lactation Specialist Lynne Cunningham is planning to celebrate National Breastfeeding Week by holding information events for staff and parents around infant feeding and how we can promote and support it in the hospital setting and beyond.
Families in the antenatal period of their pregnancies will be encouraged to avail of the breastfeeding preparation classes on offer along with also linking in with the infant feeding specialist so they can best prepare for their individual needs.
Lynne Cunningham Lactation Specialist Sligo University Hospital said “Families who link in antenatally and stayed engaged with our service have the best outcomes. It is a real perk of my job receiving a text message out of the blue months later telling me that they are still breastfeeding and really enjoying it. Most women want to breastfeed but have doubts and misunderstand the process. Being able to help inform and guide them through those early days and weeks is such a privilege and it is so rewarding seeing them become confident and achieve their individual feeding goal.”
Sarah Devaney, mother of three from Sligo said “I have seen such massive positive changes in the attitude and support towards breastfeeding both in the hospital and society from having my first baby 4 years ago compared to my recent experience. The maternity staff’s approach and encouragement empowered me to overcome the obstacles and be able to enjoy feeding my baby.”
This year the theme of National Breastfeeding week is “From Bump to Baby and Beyond”. Patricia Carroll Lactation Specialist Sligo Leitrim said “We are delighted to report that our breastfeeding rates are increasing in this region. Both Lynn and I work closely together to support our mothers on their breastfeeding journey. During National Breastfeeding week we are planning on launching a new breastfeeding support group in Ballymote and latch on events in Carrick on Shannon and Sligo.”
The Regional Integrated Infant Feeding Committee are delighted and very proud to launch the first breastfeeding exterior wall mural on a Higher Education Institute campus on the island of Ireland. The HSE have partnered with Atlantic Technological University (ATU) Sligo to promote and normalise breastfeeding through the art of breastfeeding. This wall mural will cross all demographics in terms of ages, genders and socio-economic groups.
The HSE are also collaborating with the ATU and are unveiling new research where we examined the impact of antenatal colostrum harvesting on breastfeeding outcomes in our service.
Last updated on: 24 / 09 / 2024
