Monica Barnes
Ceist:76 Mrs. Barnes asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will implement co-ordinated national policy initiatives to promote breastfeed ing; and the action, if any, he will take in 2000 in this regard. [4874/00]
Written Answers. - Breastfeeding Policy.
Liz McManus
Ceist:161 Ms McManus asked the Minister for Health and Children the action if any, he will take to address the fact that Ireland has the lowest rates of breastfeeding in Europe; the way in which he proposes to effect attitudinal change in favour of breastfeeding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5645/00]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 76 and 161 together.
The promotion of breastfeeding is supported by the health promotion unit of my Department in a number of ways in line with the national breastfeeding policy. In prioritising the recommendations of that policy and how they might be implemented it was recognised that the support of health professionals would be critical. 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. 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 breastfeeding 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 breastfeeding. This training pack has been widely disseminated.
A 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, Cuidiú, Irish Childbirth Trust, and the Association of Lactation Consultants, to further promote the incidence of breastfeeding.
While I recognise that the incidence of breastfeeding in Ireland remains low, the health promotion unit is committed to continue its support for the implementation of the recommendations of the national breastfeeding policy. I am confident that the continuing implementation of the recommendations and particularly the grow ing participation in the baby friendly hospital initiative will result in an increase in the incidence of breastfeeding in this country.