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Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 15 Dec 1999

Vol. 512 No. 7

Written Answers. - Breast-feeding Rates.

Róisín Shortall

Question:

71 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Health and Children the rates of breast-feeding in each health board area; the target rates he has set and the strategy he is pursuing to achieve these target rates; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27148/99]

Information on rates of breast-feeding broken down by health board area are not available. The target rates for breast-feeding, as set out in the national breast-feeding policy for Ireland, are as follows: an overall breast-feeding initiation rate of 50% by the year 2000; a breast-feeding initiation rate among the lower socio-economic groups of 30% by the year 2000; and a breast-feeding rate of 30% at four months by the year 2000.

While I recognise that the incidence of breast-feeding in Ireland remains low, the health promotion unit of my Department is committed to continue its support for the implementation of the recommendations of the national breast-feeding policy.

A number of factors influence the success or otherwise of implementing the national breast-feeding 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 that the mother receives information about the benefits of breast-feeding 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 professionals which includes a breast-feeding video and information booklets. This pack was developed in conjunction with An Bord Altranais and is designed to equip health professionals with the necessary skills and knowledge to assist mothers with breast-feeding. This training pack is now in place and available to the relevant health professional bodies.

Another key recommendation of the national breast-feeding 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 breast-feed. The initiative has recently been established in Ireland and the number of hospitals, maternity and paediatric units involved in the initiative continues to grow.

I am confident that the continuing implementation of the recommendations, and particularly the growing participation in the baby friendly initiative, will result in an increase in the incidence of breast-feeding in this country.

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