Louth County Council is celebrating National Breastfeeding Week from October 1 to 7, 2024, through its Healthy Ireland Programme. The council is working to enhance breastfeeding support across the county. Two significant events took place in Drogheda and Dundalk, marking progress in the “We’re Breastfeeding Friendly Louth” campaign. These workshops, held at The Barbican in Drogheda and Muirhevnamor Community Centre in Dundalk, gathered valuable feedback from local families on how businesses and services can better support breastfeeding.
On October 1, the HSE launched a Breastfeeding Support Group in Dunleer. The group attracted many families and healthcare professionals, emphasizing the community’s effort to create breastfeeding-friendly environments. This initiative aims to ensure that support for breastfeeding mothers remains consistent and sustainable over time.
The workshops drew a diverse group of mothers and public health professionals. They focused on discussions about breastfeeding in public spaces like cafés, parks, and community centers. Certified Lactation Consultant Catherine McGowan facilitated the workshops, providing mothers with a platform to discuss their challenges and successes. Participants also joined a Sustainable Fashion Workshop led by Aga Hutcheson, where they learned to upcycle old clothes into breastfeeding-friendly outfits, combining creativity and sustainability.
Róisín McMahon, a Public Health Nurse and Lactation Consultant with the HSE, emphasized the importance of normalizing breastfeeding. She stated, “Creating a supportive environment for mothers is crucial. We see significant improvements in breastfeeding rates when we take a comprehensive approach that considers parents’ journeys from pregnancy to parenthood.”
McMahon also highlighted the collaboration between Louth County Council’s Healthy Ireland Programme and the HSE’s Public Health Nursing Department. This partnership helps mothers gain confidence in breastfeeding, allowing them to continue for as long as they choose. The “We’re Breastfeeding Friendly Louth” campaign sends a crucial message to mothers and families, reassuring them that local businesses are supportive of breastfeeding in public spaces anytime.
One mother attending the event expressed her gratitude for the initiative, saying, “I found the event informative and well facilitated. It would be great to have more discussions or events like this, as they’re definitely needed. Meeting other breastfeeding mothers was lovely.”
Public Health Nurse Roisin Hanratty added, “These events provide a valuable platform for parents and professionals to come together to enhance local support for breastfeeding. It’s wonderful to see this momentum growing.”
The feedback collected during the workshops will directly guide the next steps of the “We’re Breastfeeding Friendly Louth” campaign. Healthy Louth plans to collaborate with local businesses and service providers to create tailored resources and information sessions that address the needs of breastfeeding families.
Healthy Louth Coordinator Paula Keenan praised the event’s success, stating, “The passion and feedback we’ve received from families across Louth are vital in creating a more inclusive and supportive environment. We are dedicated to building partnerships with businesses and public spaces to ensure breastfeeding families feel welcomed wherever they go.”
Keenan added, “The campaign will now focus on expanding breastfeeding-friendly practices in various locations, including cafés, sports facilities, and community centers. Healthy Louth is committed to ensuring that every family in Louth feels confident breastfeeding, whether they are visiting a hotel or attending a public event.”
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