Vol. 508 No. 2
35 Mr. Broughan asked the Minister for Health and Children the steps, if any, he is taking to ensure the target set out in the national breastfeeding policy that 30 per cent of mothers should be breastfeeding at four months by the year 2000; the number of recommendations implemented to date; the number outstanding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18236/99]
A number of factors influence the success or otherwise of implementing the national breastfeeding policy. However, in prioritising the recommendations and how they might be implemented it was recognised that the support of health professionals would be critical to its successful implementation as they are the first point of contact for the mother during pregnancy and after childbirth and are ideally placed to ensure the mother receives information about the benefits of breastfeeding in order that she can make an informed choice. Consequently, the National University of Ireland, Galway, with funding from the health promotion unit of my Department, has produced a training pack for health professional which includes a breastfeeding video and information booklets. This pack was developed in conjunction with An Board Altranais and is designed to equip health professionals with the necessary skills and knowledge to assist mothers with breastfeeding. This training pack is now in place and available to the relevant health professional bodies.
Another key recommendation of the national breastfeeding policy was that Ireland participate in the baby friendly hospital initiative. This global campaign, led by the World Health Organisation and UNICEF encourages hospitals and health workers to support mothers to breastfeed. The initiative has recently been established in Ireland and the number of hospitals, maternity and paediatric units involved in the initiative continues to grow.
My Department through the health promotion unit also continues to be involved in ensuring that the other recommendations of the national breastfeeding policy are implemented. Other initiatives undertaken to achieve this include the production of materials encouraging breastfeeding and supporting voluntary organisations such as La Leche League, Cuidiu (Irish Childbirth Trust) and the Association of Lactation Consultants, to further promote the incidence of breastfeeding.
