Irish breastfeeding rates have slowly improved over the last fifteen years, but remain among the lowest in Europe and worldwide. Nationally, 60% of mothers have initiated breastfeeding by the time they leave the maternity hospital. Only 15% of babies are given breastmilk at six-months of age 5 despite this being the recommended duration of exclusive breastfeeding. The Royal College of Physicians of Ireland (RCPI) has published a position paper, endorsed by the Faculty of Paediatrics, Institute of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists and Faculty of Public Health Medicine, with commitment to supporting breastfeeding through medical education and within its own membership.
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The original article is available at www.imj.ie
Published Citation
Kinoshita M, Doolan A. Supporting breastfeeding: next steps. Ir Med J. 2021;114(7):399.