Conference highlights way foward for breastfeeding

The latest statistics show that the number of women breastfeeding in Northern Ireland over the past decade has increased by 50%; however much more work needs to be done to promote the benefits of breastfeeding.

The importance of giving babies the best nutritional start in life was stressed today at the first Regional Conference on Breastfeeding at the Culloden Hotel attended by more than 200 health professionals including midwives, health visitors, dietitians and representatives of voluntary breastfeeding support groups. Organised by the Health Promotion Agency in association with the Breastfeeding Strategy Implementation Group the conference emphasised the significance of support for mums wanting to feed their babies the natural way.

During the conference Janet Calvert, Regional Breastfeeding Coordinator*, said: "While great strides have been made to encourage and support breastfeeding there is still much more work to be done. The breastfeeding strategy provides clear guidance for improving breastfeeding rates and ultimately providing the best possible chance of success for mothers. The way forward will be to improve breastfeeding education for health professionals and to target mothers least likely to breastfeed; in particular young mums and those from lower income backgrounds."

Research shows that breastfeeding mums are at a lower risk of pre-menopausal breast cancer, ovarian cancer and osteoporosis while for babies breastfeeding brings health benefits including reduction in illnesses, such as chest, urinary and ear infections and means they are less likely to develop juvenile obesity and diabetes in childhood.

Janet continued: "While the health benefits for mother and baby are well known still fewer women in Northern Ireland choose to breastfeed than in the rest of the UK. The challenge will be to find appealing ways to get this message across and to ensure that when a mum chooses to breastfeed she will receive positive support from knowledgeable health professionals."

Dr Miriam McCarthy, Chair of the Breastfeeding Strategy Implementation Group, said: "There is no doubt that breastfeeding provides health benefits for both mother and baby. We would like to see more women encouraged and supported to breastfeed."

The conference also highlights National Breastfeeding Week starting on Sunday 12 May 2002. The theme for this year is, Mother's milk the perfect take away, and aims to raise awareness of the health benefits of breastfeeding, encourage social acceptance of breastfeeding and support mothers who are breastfeeding their babies.

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Notes to the editor: Figures taken from the Infant Feeding Survey 2000 conducted by the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA).

*Janet Calvert's PowerPoint presentation is available Here