National Breastfeeding Week runs from Saturday, October 01 to Friday, October 07 2016. National Breastfeeding Week is traditionally held on the start of the 10th month, marking the end of 9th months of pregnancy and the start of the breastfeeding journey!
This is the third year of the theme “Every Breastfeed Makes a Difference”. National Breastfeeding Week provides an opportunity to highlight the importance of breastfeeding for the health of children and mothers, to provide information on breastfeeding and to promote the supports available throughout the country.
To celebrate National Breastfeeding Week, Letterkenny University Hospital will host a coffee morning on 05 October from 11am – 12.30pm and Cuidiú will hold a public lecture on breastfeeding on 07 October from 7.30pm – 9pm, both events will be held in the medical academy, Letterkenny University Hospital and all are welcome to attend.
On Thursday 06 October from 2.30pm – 5pm Geraldine Hanley, Antenatal Education Co-ordinator, CMM2, and Mary Lynch, CMM2 will host an information stand outside the maternity unit and will be available to offer support and answer all your questions.
Five people from Donegal Breasteeding Forum will visit 5 different Community breastfeeding support groups during National breastfeeding week. The aim is to promote LUH working in partnership with HSE & Voluntary Breastfeeding support groups and promote awareness that local supports are available.
Geraldine Hanley, Antenatal Education Co-ordinator, Maternity Unit, Letterkenny University Hospital says, “New and expectant mothers can learn much about breastfeeding by observing and sharing stories.
By chatting with friends and relatives, you can find out what worked for them, as well as what did not. Having a baby is a new job and, like all new jobs, it takes time to learn these new skills. It is vital to line up help for the first several weeks.
Geraldine concludes; “Breastfeeding is important for the health of children and mothers, with every breastfeed making a difference and every breastfeed brings a mum closer to her breastfeeding goals. Many Irish mothers do not reach their breastfeeding goals and stop breastfeeding sooner than planned. Support can help mums to breastfeed for longer. There are over 200 support groups throughout the county and contact details are available on www.breastfeeding.ie”.
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