Mothers are more likely to breastfeed their babies if they are supported in doing so by fathers and grandparents, according to research released to coincide with National Breastfeeding Week which began yesterday.
One US study found that strong approval of breastfeeding by the father was associated with 98 per cent breastfeeding incidence, compared with just 27 per cent when the father was indifferent to the feeding choice.
"Breastfeeding is not always easy, particularly if a mother is experiencing problems or feeling tired or isolated, so encouragement from those closest to her is vital," said Catherine Murphy, assistant national director, Population Health, the HSE.
She said fathers, particularly first-time dads, often felt that breastfeeding was not something they could be part of. However, assisting with bathing and nappy changing, making meals and snacks and knowing where to get the right breastfeeding information could make a big difference to the breastfeeding mother, especially in the early months, said Ms Murphy, who chairs the National Implementation Group of the Strategic Action Plan on Breastfeeding, which was launched last year.
Ireland has one of the lowest rates of breastfeeding in Europe with just 43 per cent of women breastfeeding their babies when they leave the maternity hospital compared with 99 per cent in other countries. It is estimated that only 1 per cent of mothers in Ireland exclusively breastfeed their babies until six months, despite a World Health Organisation recommendation to breastfeed exclusively for six months.
A conference in Croke Park, Dublin on Friday will examine how breastfeeding can be encouraged in Ireland.
Breastfeeding support groups La Leche League and Cuidiú - the Irish Childbirth Trust - have organised a number of regional meetings to coincide with National Breastfeeding Week.
See www.lalecheleagueireland.com and www.cuidiu-ict.ie
