In the coming days, and in particular from the 1st-7th October, breastfeeding will climb a few more concessionary rungs up the media ladder. News feeds will detail gatherings that are being arranged; our friends and colleagues will share their best breastfeeding stories and the air and soundwaves will conduct special interviews with mothers and experts. It is a time when organisations confidently highlight the resounding evidence for breastfeeding, promote the wonderful services offered by the various breastfeeding support groups and, for those of us whose work it is to support breastfeeding ..read more

The little munchkin in the above photo is my first baby, born 19 years ago. I was a very naive, ill-informed, first-time mother. I was not aware of how my pregnancy, labour, birth and postpartum experiences could impact the establishment and continuation of breastfeeding. I didn’t ask the right questions and the information was not offered to me. We experienced all of the below. Induction of labour Continuous fetal monitoring IV fluids Epidural Episiotomy Ventouse Forceps Separation Severe breast edema Retained placental fragments Postpartum haemorrhage D & C Iron deficiency anemia My ..read more

We, Amanda Glynn IBCLC (www.lactation.ie), Carol Smyth IBCLC (www.carolsmyth.co.uk) and Nicola O’Byrne IBCLC (www.breastfeedingsupport.ie ) have come together to make the following statement re International Board Certified Lactation Consultants (IBCLCs) attending non-WHO Code compliant baby fairs. The adoption of and adherence to the International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes is a *minimum* requirement and only one of several important actions required in order to protect health practices of infant and young child feeding. (Resolution WHA 34.22)  Why would a formula ..read more

A common occurrence, on social media forums in particular, unfolds when a mother posts that she is stuck. She writes that she and her baby are having breastfeeding difficulties. She pours her heart out in every line. The thread quickly lengthens with lots of posters wanting to help. Many offer great information. Some will provide links to supports that the mother can access and others will empathise and offer their own story; how they managed to get over a similar situation.  Admins will do their best to quickly jump to correct any misinformation that hasn’t already been queried. Thi ..read more