Connect with us
National Breastfeeding Week 2018 National Breastfeeding Week 2018

Awareness

The University Maternity Hospital Limerick marks National Breastfeeding Week 2018

Margaret Hynes (right), lactation consultant, University Maternity Hospital Limerick actively supports National Breastfeeding Week 2018

The University Maternity Hospital Limerick marks National Breastfeeding Week 2018

Marking National Breastfeeding Week 2018 the University Maternity Hospital Limerick will be hosting a number of events around the theme: ‘Every Breastfeed Makes a Difference’.

Margaret Hynes, lactation consultant, University Maternity Hospital Limerick feels National Breastfeeding Week provides a great opportunity to promote the importance of breastfeeding along with providing further information about the same.


advertisement




advertisement




advertisement




advertisement




advertisement



“We are really excited that we have now reached a breastfeeding initiation rate of 60% at the hospital, which is a new high for us. We are seeing a lot more women breastfeeding and it really is something to celebrate,” Ms. Hynes added.

Last week, Limerick City and County Council, supported by Healthy Ireland, launched ‘We’re Breastfeeding Friendly’ – a campaign that aims to help improve the health and well-being of breastfeeding mothers, babies and their families by encouraging businesses, organisations and communities to become ‘Breastfeeding Friendly’.

By signing up to ‘We’re Breastfeeding Friendly’, private, community and statutory organisations across Limerick can show they welcome and support breastfeeding by some easy and zero-cost actions.

The Limerick breastfeeding initiative is simple and cost-free for a business, group or organisation to sign up to. In order to join, participants must fulfill certain criteria.

Criteria include: Breastfeeding must be acceptable in all areas of their premises open to the public; Mothers breastfeeding on the premises must never be asked to move to another area or stop breastfeeding; The public is being made aware which premises are taking part through the display of a ‘We’re Breastfeeding Friendly’ window sticker and/or poster that will be provided by Limerick City and County Council.  

According to Laura McHugh, HSE National Breastfeeding Coordinator: “Breastfeeding is a natural process, however mothers may require support, knowledge and education.”

The HSE’s dedicated website: breastfeeding.ie, provides a range of supports for breastfeeding mothers and their families, including a free ‘Ask our Expert’ service.

“The website: breastfeeding.ie provides answers to all your questions, and support and information is available to help you and your baby,” Ms. McHugh added.

The week will conclude on Sunday, October 7 following seven days of activity across the country – coffee mornings, support group events, and even a visit by breastfeeding mothers and their babies to Áras an Uactaráin in order to promote the importance of breastfeeding.

For more information on National Breastfeeding Week go here 

For more stories on National Breastfeeding Week go here 

Richard is a presenter, producer, songwriter and actor. He was named the Limerick Person of the Year (2011) and won an online award at the Metro Éireann Media and Multicultural Awards (2011) for promoting multi-culturalism online. Richard says that the ilovelimerick.com concept is very much a community driven project that aims to document life in Limerick. So, that in 20 years time people can look back and remember the events that were making the headlines.