HSE hold Mayo events to mark National Breastfeeding Week

THIS year’s HSE National Breastfeeding Week takes place from October 1 to 7 and is themed ‘Every step forward: Strengthening support for babies and families’, highlighting the important role that timely information and expert support play in helping families on their breastfeeding journey.

A number of events are taking place around County Mayo throughout the week (details below).

Nationally, more than six in 10 babies in Ireland are now breastfed at birth. The percentage of babies breastfed at birth increased from 63.8% in 2019 to 65.8% in 2025. Breastfeeding rates have also increased beyond the early weeks of life, with 51.5% of three-month-old babies breastfed, compared with 35.4% in 2015.

The HSE has expanded breastfeeding supports in recent years through the recruitment of specialist lactation midwives and nurses, community breastfeeding support groups, post-natal hubs and enhanced breastfeeding training for healthcare staff. There are now 60 specialist infant feeding staff nationwide, while 805 healthcare professionals have completed the new National Infant Feeding Education Programme over the past two years.

Mary Sammon, clinical midwife specialist infant feeding at Mayo University Hospital, said: “National Breastfeeding Week is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate breastfeeding and recognise the many benefits it can bring for babies, mothers and families. We are here to offer each mother the right information, encouragement and supports to help her make the choice that is right for her and her family.

“Supports are available through healthcare professionals, lactation support services and community networks. This week we want to celebrate every breastfeeding journey and remind families that supports are there when you need it.”

Cassie, who attended the service with her baby, Roo, gave this advice: “My main advice to new mothers who would like to breastfeed is to stay positive and give it a try. See how things go during the first few weeks, but don’t put too much pressure on yourself.

“You simply don’t know how things will work out until your baby arrives. Once my milk supply was established, I bought a breast pump. This means I can express milk and my husband can give our baby a bottle when I want to go out to a yoga class, the cinema, or even for a day trip. Knowing that my baby can still have my milk while I’m away gives me much-needed independence and flexibility.

“For me, this has made breastfeeding fit really well into our family life, while still giving me the freedom to get out and enjoy some time for myself.”

Claire Larkin, community lactation and infant feeding specialist, Public Health Nursing Service, Mayo, said: “Every breastfeeding journey is unique and there is no one size fits all. The feedback we hear from mothers is that having the right information, encouragement and support can make a real difference, especially in those early days and weeks.

“National Breastfeeding Weeks gives us an opportunity to celebrate the families that are breastfeeding but also reminds expecting and new parents that they don’t have to navigate it alone. From antenatal preparation and specialist infant feeding support to local breastfeeding groups, there are supports available throughout Mayo.”

MAYO EVENTS

Yesterday (Thursday), new mothers, expecting mothers and families celebrated National Breastfeeding Week at the breastfeeding stand in the main hospital foyer of Mayo University Hospital. The public got the opportunity to meet maternity staff and lactation consultant to ask any questions they may have and be advised on local supports available. There was also breastfeeding mothers and babies in attendance that delivered over the past year who dropped in to give some useful advice to expecting and new mothers.

There are also a number of upcoming events taking place over the course of Breastfeeding Week in the community across Mayo. There will be celebrations at all the weekly breastfeeding groups across the county including Castlebar, Kilkelly, Swinford, Westport, Ballina, Claremorris and Turlough. See here for further information on these and other groups in your area.

The lactation and infant feeding specialist has linked with all 14 libraries in Mayo for Storytime this month. ‘Milky - a little milk-making adventure’ by Maria Betswoth will be read to the toddlers and children.

There will also be a ‘Latch on and catch up’ event on Wednesday, October 7, in Castlebar Shopping Centre where public health nurses and lactation consultants will be in attendance to answer any questions mothers and expecting mothers and families may have and be advised on local supports available. The stand will be located between Pennies and SuperValu and is supported by Healthy Mayo.

These local events form part of the wider HSE National Breastfeeding Week campaign, which highlights continued improvements in breastfeeding rates and the expansion of breastfeeding supports available to families.