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A Fine Gael Senator has welcomed the largest gathering of breastfeeding mothers to Leinster House in celebration of National Breastfeeding Week.
Senator Barry Ward hosted more than 35 mothers along with their babies at Leinster House this morning for the event. The group, which included women from Dún Laoghaire, Blackrock, and Killiney-Shankill, was accompanied by HSE Lactation Consultant Róisín Sullivan.
“Today, we celebrate not only the incredible journey of motherhood, but the critical importance of breastfeeding for the health and well-being of both mothers and babies,” Ward said.
“Breastfeeding is a natural and vital process that fosters strong bonds and promotes optimal health outcomes.”
Ward went on to lament that breastfeeding rates in Ireland are low by European standards.
“Breastfeeding rates in Ireland unfortunately remain amongst the lowest in Europe but have been improving in recent years,” he said.
“According to the latest figures from the Health Service Executive (HSE), 64% of babies in Ireland commence breastfeeding after birth, and 42% babies continue to breastfeed at three months.
“These rates are an encouraging start, but we have a long way to go to catch up with our global counterparts. Ireland needs to provide more support and resources to ensure that every mother feels empowered to breastfeed for as long as they wish.”
The Senator went on to stress that it is important to combat “stigma” around women breastfeeding in public.
“Today’s event is about normalising breastfeeding in public and fostering a supportive community where mothers can feel comfortable and confident,” he said.
“Breastfeeding is a natural part of life; however, in Ireland, there is still work to be done to ensure that mothers are not met with discomfort or stigma when breastfeeding in public spaces. By encouraging open discussions and positive representations of breastfeeding, we can shift societal perceptions, making it easier for mothers to nourish their children wherever they are.”
He added that men have a “crucial” role to play in this.
“Most importantly, men play a crucial role in this cultural shift,” he said.
“As a male public figure, I want to make breastfeeding more acceptable by encouraging men to support their female partners, family members, and colleagues. We can be powerful advocates for breastfeeding, but we also need to overcome discomfort and awkwardness if we expect women to do the same.”
He further invited “all members of the public” to “advocate for policies that promote breastfeeding as a fundamental right for mothers and their children.”
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