Irish new mothers need to cop on that breast is best

IWAS lucky enough to be able to breast-feed my kids. It was a long time ago, when you barely got three months off work, so they were weaned when work, instead of their needs, dictated it.

These days, women can take up to a year to give their baby the best start in life, and yet breast-feeding rates are abysmal.

I know not every woman can do it, but the vast majority, with a little effort and perseverance, can. The truth is that many don’t try hard or for long enough, or don’t get the supports they need to keep going. As someone who breast-fed through mastitis and other unmentionables, I know it can be really tough but you don’t have to be a zealot to appreciate that every single health professional across the world knows breast is best.

Naturally fed babies have fewer health problems, lower infection rates and better mental development, while mums who feed lower their own risk for breast and ovarian cancers.

In the UK, where rates already exceed ours (80pc of mums breastfeeding, versus 55.4pc here, falling to just 39pc at three months), a pilot scheme has been giving incentives to mums to do what’s right. A £200 shopping voucher for agreeing to breastfeed for at least six weeks with a further £80 for still doing so at six months.

It shouldn’t be necessary, but it is curious why more mums don’t do it. It’s free for a start, yet HSE figures show breastfeeding rates are worst in less affluent areas. Three times the number of babies are naturally fed in South Dublin compared to Donegal and Louth, for instance. Why? Buying baby formula is expensive, not to mention the sterilising equipment, so it should be a nobrainer, yet disadvantaged areas have the highest artificial feeding rates.

It’s not the case globally. Senegal and Gambia, two of the poorest places on the Earth, have almost 99pc breastfeeding rates compared to Denmark and France (just 9pc were still feeding at 12 months). I think the answer lies in longer hospital time – just a day or two more with dedicated nurses and breast-feeding supports after delivery would make all the difference.