IRELAND'S breastfeeding rates are amongst the lowest in the world with only 60 per cent of mothers reporting any breastfeeding at discharge from hospital, including combination feeding, according to the latest available data.
Breastival is a unique, award-winning festival which aims to support, normalise and celebrate breastfeeding as part of everyday life and support families on their breastfeeding journey from pregnancy to birth, early days and beyond.
Running from August 1 to 7, the week-long festival coincides with World Breastfeeding Week and includes talks, workshops and fun activities for families to get involved in, both online and in-person.
Online sessions include a discussion on maternal mental health, returning to work and when breastfeeding looks 'different'. This involves meeting other mums who express, combi-feed, use shields or any other aids.
The period after a baby is born is a unique and special time with each family having its own specific worries, challenges and situations. In a webinar titled A Plan for Adjusting to Life With Your New Baby, the makers of The Breastfeeding Show podcast share their ideas and experience on adjusting to parenthood and coping with loss of sleep.
Another highlight of the festival is the screening of the award-winning documentary Birth Time, following the journey of three women across the world.
Breastival will also host two in-person Big Latch On events, on Saturday August 6 in Ormeau Park, Belfast, and in St Columb's Park, Derry. This in-person family-friendly outdoor event will feature fun activities for babies, toddlers and young children, information stands and provide a space for mothers and families to meet up and feed their babies together.
"Getting this community of women together is our way of helping to build confidence in choosing breastfeeding, breaking down barriers and removing the stigma around feeding and helping to reduce the isolation new mothers often feel as they adjust to life with a new baby," says Breastival co-ordinator Catherine Muldoon.
Breastfeeding is accepted by the World Health Organisation (WHO) as the optimal method for infant feeding. It provides the foundation for a healthy start in life and prevents disease in the short and long term for both babies and their mothers.
The WHO recommends exclusive breastfeeding until six months. In 2018, Northern Ireland saw its number of any breastfeeding at six months, whether exclusive or combined at 19.1 per cent. This compares to 43 per cent in Scotland, where their most recent survey shows that exclusive breastfeeding drops below 50 per cent at around five weeks after birth.
"In Northern Ireland we reach that number at five days after birth," says Catherine.
The mum-of-two and recently qualified NCT Breastfeeding Counsellor, believes that breastfeeding should not be regarded as the responsibility of individual women. She is calling for an ambitious and well-resourced breastfeeding strategy for Northern Ireland.
"Most women want to breastfeed and it's up to the government and wider society to 'step up' to create environments that enable women to feed for as long as they wish.
"That includes generous paid maternity leave for all women, consistent accessible education and high quality support from pregnancy to immediately after birth and in the months and years that follow, an informed and supportive public and protection from aggressive marketing."
:: For full programme and tickets visit Breastival.co.uk.
:: BREASTIVAL CO-ORDINATOR CATHERINE MULDOON'S BREASTFEEDING ADVICE
1. Breastfeeding is a skill to be learned by mum and baby together. Think of it as learning to dance with a partner – there may be a few moments where you step on each other's toes, but when you get into the groove it is amazing. This relates to every breastfeeding journey, you may know the steps but a new dance partner can mean it feels like learning all over again.
2. A newborn's natural habitat is a mums' body – their survival depends on it. When their need for closeness is met, they will be content, so take the time to enjoy those cuddles. Feedback we have received over the past two years, points towards new families finding staying at home with no interruptions from guests has aided in reaching their breastfeeding goals.
3. Needing help is normal. Whether it be from friends and family, your health care provider, or support organisations like SureStart, La Leche League or NCT, there are people available to be a listening ear or provide more direct assistance.
4. Find out where and when your local breastfeeding groups meet up. Having a place to talk to others who are in a similar place to you (both physically and on your feeding journey) can make a massive difference.
5. Never give up on a bad day.
6. Breastfeeding works on supply and demand. The more you feed, the more your body will produce.
7. It does get easier.
:: TIPS FOR FRIENDS AND FAMILY VISITING A BREASTFEEDING MOTHER:
1. Keep talking to mum as before.
2. Do not leave the room unless asked, do not ask mum to leave the room.
3. Tell mum she is doing brilliantly and you are proud of her.
4. If mum is struggling, get her good-face-to-face support.
5. Bring food and lend a helping hand.
6. If the baby cries, give the baby to mum. Do not attempt to walk around shushing, patting, saying it worked for your baby. This baby wants mum.
