Galway to mark National Breastfeeding Week

SEVERAL training and information events in Galway will highlight the importance of breastfeeding during National Breastfeeding Week

‘Every step forward: Strengthening support for babies and families’, is running from now until Wednesday, October 7.

It will highlight the important role that timely information and expert support play in helping families on their breastfeeding journey.

“Every drop of breastmilk promotes health for mother and baby,” said Frances Burke, Infant feeding/Lactation Nurse based at the Primary Care Centre in Tuam.

“This unique bond, whether direct breast feeding or giving expressed breastmilk, is strengthened. Some breastfeeding journeys have challenges, we encourage mothers to reach out for support and we will help,” she added.

Supermarket tour

More than six in 10 babies in Ireland are now breastfed at birth, with percentages increased from 63.8 per cent in 2019 to 65.8 per cent in 2025.

Breastfeeding rates beyond the early weeks of life has also increased with 51.6 per cent of three-month old babies now being breastfed compared to only 35.4 per cent in 2015.

Events like a Supermarket Nutrition tour on October 5 by the HSE Community Nurtrition and Dietetic Service, a mothers and families coffee morning on October 7 at the Clybaun Hotel in Knocknacarra, an advice and support stand at University Hospital Galway through the week, will be held to mark the National event.

The HSE has also 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.

It is now encouraging the families to explore the many supports available both in the community and online.

For more information about the events, visit: www.mychild.ie.