Breastfeeding in public places must become more normalised – Ward

A Fine Gael Senator has welcomed the largest group of breastfeeding mothers to Leinster House to mark National Breastfeeding Week. Senator Barry Ward, hosted over 35 mothers in Leinster House this morning, with their babies, from the Dún Laoghaire, Blackrock, and Killiney-Shankill areas, accompanied by award-winning HSE Lactation Consultant, Róisín Sullivan.

“Today, we celebrate not only the incredible journey of motherhood, but the critical importance of breastfeeding for the health and well-being of both mothers and babies. Breastfeeding is a natural and vital process that fosters strong bonds and promotes optimal health outcomes,” said Senator Ward.

“Breastfeeding rates in Ireland unfortunately remain amongst the lowest in Europe but have been improving in recent years. According to the latest figures from the Health Service Executive (HSE), 64% of babies in Ireland commence breastfeeding after birth, and 42% babies continue to breastfeed at three months. These rates are an encouraging start, but we have a long way to go to catch up with our global counterparts. Ireland needs to provide more support and resources to ensure that every mother feels empowered to breastfeed for as long as they wish.

“Today’s event is about normalising breastfeeding in public and fostering a supportive community where mothers can feel comfortable and confident. Breastfeeding is a natural part of life; however, in Ireland, there is still work to be done to ensure that mothers are not met with discomfort or stigma when breastfeeding in public spaces. By encouraging open discussions and positive representations of breastfeeding, we can shift societal perceptions, making it easier for mothers to nourish their children wherever they are.

“Most importantly, men play a crucial role in this cultural shift. As a male public figure, I want to make breastfeeding more acceptable by encouraging men to support their female partners, family members, and colleagues. We can be powerful advocates for breastfeeding, but we also need to overcome discomfort and awkwardness if we expect women to do the same.

“I am particularly grateful to Róisín Sullivan for her unwavering commitment to supporting breastfeeding mothers in our community. Her expertise as a lactation consultant and public health nurse is invaluable in guiding new mothers on their breastfeeding journey and I know how much she has done to support breastfeeding mothers in my own area. I also wish to pay tribute to the volunteers of Cuidiú and La Leche League, who in tandem with HSE Breastfeeding support groups and library staff form amazing support networks and sources of information for breastfeeding parents and their babies,”. Senator Ward concluded.

Senator Ward invites all members of the public to join in celebrating this important week and to advocate for policies that promote breastfeeding as a fundamental right for mothers and their children.