11 May 2021, 14:13
The Joint Committee on Health will discuss the lack of breastfeeding supports in maternity hospitals with representatives of Bainne Beatha and Cuidiú at a meeting tomorrow, Wednesday, 12 May in Leinster House, Committee Room 2 at 9.30am.
Bainne Beatha is a campaign led by a group of mothers to improve Irish breastfeeding support services following their own experiences of Irish maternity units; and parent to parent support group, Cuidiú, offers breastfeeding support groups and breastfeeding counsellors.
Cathaoirleach of the Committee on Health Seán Crowe TD said: “The World Health Organisation recommends infants are breastfed for the first 6 months of life because of the health benefits for both the mother and child.
“The Committee welcomes this opportunity to engage with women behind the campaign group Bainne Beatha today to hear about their work and the results of a survey they conducted of new mothers on the breastfeeding supports they experienced in Irish maternity hospitals. The Committee welcomes Cuidiú to hear about its work in supporting new mothers to breastfeed and the impact the Covid-19 pandemic has had on support services on the ground.”
Watch the meeting live.
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