Breastfeeding rates in NI climb but still lag behind rest of UK

BREASTFEEDING uptake in Northern Ireland is increasing, but the gap between here and the Republic is widening, according to a study.

Figures from the Institute of Public Health in Ireland (IPH) showed we have the lowest rate of breastfeeding in the UK, with local women also the least likely to breastfeed in public.

In 2015 45% of infants here were receiving breast milk at discharge from hospital — up 5% over the last decade, compared toa9%riseintheRepublicduring the same period, from 49% to 58%.

Despite this, the uptake rate in the province tailed off rapidly after hospital discharge, with only 35% still breastfeeding at the time of the first health visiciative tor visit, followed by 27% at six weeks. This continued to drop to 21% at three months, 13% at six monthsand7%at12months.

IPH development officer Dr Joanna Purdy said: “Rates of starting breastfeeding have increased over the island of Ireland in the last 10 years, although Northern Ireland was starting from a lower point than the Republic and the gap between North and South is widening.

“However, across the island there is a steep decline in breastfeeding in the early weeks after birth.”

Research indicates that more than 22,000 children’s lives could be saved worldwide each year and 20,000 breast cancer deaths could be prevented if breastfeeding maintenance increased.

Dr Purdy said Northern Ireland society was “slowly becoming more welcoming and appre- of breastfeeding but still has a long way to go”.

The report showed that women from more affluent areas were twice as likely to breastfeed as those from the most deprived areas, and the uptake of breastfeeding among younger mothers was persistently low.

After meeting with the Department of Health and Public Health Agency representatives, Sinn Fein MP Michelle Gildernew renewed calls for the introduction of breastfeeding laws.

“Ireland as a whole has one of the lowest rates of breastfeeding in Europe and this must change,” she said.

“Effective public awareness campaigns and targeted legislation are two actions that need to be progressed to encourage women to breastfeed and, more importantly, to provide support when they choose to do so.” The Earl of Wessex and the Countess of Wessex with Sergeant Arjun, 2nd Battalion, The Royal Gurkha Rifles as they arrive in Sungai Liang Training Area near Seria, Brunei for His Majesty the Sultan of Brunei’s Golden Jubilee celebrations