Vol. 502 No. 5
62 Mr. Higgins (Dublin West) asked the Minister for Health and Children the plans, if any, he has for the full implementation of A National Breastfeeding Policy for Ireland (1994); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8639/99]
My Department, through the health promotion unit, has been involved in a number of initiatives in order to improve the incidence of breastfeeding in Ireland including the production of materials encouraging breastfeeding. The National University of Ireland, Galway, with funding from the health promotion unit, has produced a training pack for health professionals which includes a breastfeeding video and information booklets. This pack has been developed by the centre for health promotion studies, National University of Ireland, Galway, in conjunction with the health promotion unit and An Bord Altranais and is designed to equip health professionals with the necessary skills and knowledge to assist mothers with breastfeeding. It is recognised that the support of health professionals is critical to the success of the national breastfeeding policy as they are the first point of contact for the mother during pregnancy and after childbirth and are ideally placed to ensure that the mother receives information about the benefits of breastfeeding in order that she can make an informed choice.
The Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative, which is a global campaign led by the World Health Organisation and UNICEF to encourage hospitals and health workers to support mothers to breastfeed, has recently been established in Ireland. Participation in this initiative was recommended in the national breastfeeding policy for Ireland and I am confident that participation in this initiative will result in an increase in the incidence of breastfeeding in this country.
