HSE Boosts Breastfeeding Rates With Skin-to-Skin Contact
The Health Service Executive (HSE) is celebrating a rise in breastfeeding rates among new mothers in Ireland. The increase, seen in 20 out of 32 public health nursing areas, is attributed to a greater emphasis on constant contact between mothers and their babies. This simple yet powerful practice, also known as kangaroo care, involves placing the baby naked on the mother's bare chest. The HSE encourages new mothers to practice this as much as possible. It helps to comfort the baby, boosts the mother's confidence in feeding, and improves sleep for both. The HSE's mychild.ie website offers guidance and a video tutorial on how to do this safely.
Constant contact, or skin-to-skin contact, has a positive impact that extends beyond the immediate period. It aids the baby's physical and mental health development and helps them adjust to the world outside the womb. This practice stimulates the baby's brain and facilitates the passage of beneficial bacteria from mother to child.
The increase in breastfeeding rates is evident at various stages. In 2024, 44% of babies were breastfed at the three-month check, up from 42% the previous year. Similarly, at the first public-health nurse visit, rates rose from 60.3% to 61.9%. The HSE also reports that 65.2% of babies received breast milk during their first hospital feed, a rise from 63.8% in 2019.
The HSE has invested in supporting this trend. 13 out of the 20 areas with increased rates have recruited new lactation consultant posts in the last three years. This aligns with the World Health Organization's (WHO) initiative to create new lactation consultant positions in these areas.
The HSE's focus on constant contact has led to a notable increase in breastfeeding rates across Ireland. With 89% of mothers and babies experiencing skin-to-skin contact immediately after birth, the benefits for both mother and child are becoming widely recognised. The HSE's continued support, including the provision of lactation consultants, is expected to further enhance these positive outcomes.
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