Kathy Sinnott MEP yesterday led a group of parents and children in a protest against the South Eastern Health Board (SEHB) following action which prevented a mother from breastfeeding her newborn baby.
Criticising the health board outside the courthouse in Waterford, Ms Sinnott said: "We hope to give a very clear message to the health board that they cannot separate breastfeeding mothers from their children. This is unconstitutional."
The protest follows the health board's removal two weeks ago of a seven-week-old infant from the care of its mother.
The mother was allowed to visit the baby under the supervision of a garda.
Ms Sinnott, who is also vice-president of the EU Parliamentary Inter-Group on Family and Child Protection, spoke with The Irish Times before she was due to attend the Waterford Family Court as a witness in the case which challenged the health board's actions.
She claimed the board must take responsibility to enable a mother to breastfeed under Article 24 of the EU Declaration of Rights of the Child, 1989.
"Also, the Blueprint for the Promotion, Protection and Support of Breastfeeding was launched in Ireland last year to promote and support this," added Ms Sinnott.
It is hoped the initiative will encourage more mothers to breastfeed their young for a minimum of six months.
Ireland has a much lower rate of breastfeeding than countries such as Norway, where it is 94 per cent.
Gillian Dunlop, a counsellor on breastfeeding with the Wexford branch of Cuidiu, a voluntary parenting organisation, said: "Breastfeeding is a right for all, regardless of any criminal or civil situation."
A mother of four, she said every mother and baby had that right.
Journalist Suzanne Power described the ability of the health board to prevent breastfeeding as an "unimaginable tragedy".
