Breastfeeding Week 1-7 October 2019

Cork University Maternity Hospital is leading the first Maternity Directorate in Ireland.  Other hospitals include the maternity units in University Hospital Waterford, University Hospital Kerry and South Tipperary General Hospital.

For National Breastfeeding Week 1-9 October 2019, we would like to highlight how we protect, promote and support breastfeeding in all four hospitals. Breastfeeding is a skill for many mothers that can take time and patience to establish. 

Join the HSE parenting and breastfeeding community at www.mychild.ie.  This website is a great resource offering the ability to chat live to a Lactation Consultant online, as well as a search facility to locate a breastfeeding support group near you.

See the wide range of services for breastfeeding mothers and their babies in each hospital below.

Cork University Maternity Hospital

• Breastfeeding support: Call 021 492 0752 or 087 662 3874 to talk to Veronica Daly or Susan O’Driscoll, Monday to Friday.
• At the initial booking appointment and all subsequent antenatal visits, information on breastfeeding will be discussed between pregnant women and their midwife.
• We also encourage all pregnant women to attend support groups in their communities, whilst pregnant to link in with their supports.   Visit breastfeeding.ie to find one local.
• A Preparation for Breastfeeding class is offered on Tuesdays 10:00 to 13:00 in the Society of Missionaries Africa Parish Centre, Wilton. Partners are also welcome. Please book through Central Appointments (021 920 600) as early as possible into your pregnancy.

Former pro athlete and working mum Derval O’Rourke shares her breastfeeding story below and notes how invaluable access to a breastfeeding specialist can be.

University Hospital Kerry

• At the initial booking appointment and all subsequent visits, information on breastfeeding will be discussed between pregnant women and their midwife.
• A list of dates for Breastfeeding Preparation Classes are given to all pregnant women at this appointment, and they are encouraged to book into classes as early as possible. These classes are on a once or twice a month and are approx. 2.5 hours in length. Partners are welcome! Details on all classes are posted in the antenatal waiting areas of all clinics.
• Bookings for Classes should be made by contacting Mairead O’Sullivan on 087 6661654.
• All midwives provide breastfeeding support and encouragement throughout mother and baby’s hospital stay.

A first-time mother in Kerry shares her breastfeeding story below.  Hear from Nicola O’Brien, mother to newborn Poppy on the help she received on her breastfeeding journey in University Hospital Kerry.

South Tipperary General Hospital

• On Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 08:00 to 13:30, call Carmel Byrne on 086 0431660 for breastfeeding support and advice.
• The midwives at both booking and antenatal clinics discuss breastfeeding and encourage all mothers to attend antenatal classes and preparing for breastfeeding sessions.
• A two class programme of antenatal classes, which include breastfeeding education, runs every Thursday evening from 18:15 to 20:15 in Education Room 2 Ground Floor, STGH. Support partner welcome. Classes can be booked via ANC reception 052 6177061.
• Preparing for Breastfeeding sessions are held every Thursday from 15:00 to 17:00 in Education Room 2 Ground Floor, STGH. Support partner welcome here too. Book at ANC reception 052 6177061.
• Postnatal breastfeeding support clinics begin on Friday, 25 October in the Board room, Ground Floor, St. Luke's Hospital, Clonmel. Call 052 617 7982 to book.

University Hospital Waterford (UHW)

• Antenatal Breastfeeding Workshops take every Tuesday 15:30 to 17:30 in the Maternity Outpatients Department. Booking can be made following outpatients attendance with secretary at reception.
• The Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI) is a global campaign by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) which recognises that implementing best practice maternity services is crucial to the success of programmes to promote breastfeeding. UHW has full BFHI status and continued compliance requires breastfeeding to be discussed at every visit with a midwife antenatally.
• UHW have forged strong links with the local Cuidiú  and La Leche League groups and encourage women to make contact antenatally to avail of continued support after the birth.