Breastfeeding can evoke powerful emotions and occasionally give rise to heated disagreements amongst mothers. Women who choose formula feeding often feel slighted by those advocating breastfeeding. On the other hand, those who opt to breastfeed due to documented health benefits get upset when they are likened to fascists forcing their views on others. It may be beneficial to cease these disputes during the current National Breastfeeding Week and instead concentrate on the influential systemic factors affecting personal choices. Our culture hasn’t endorsed breastfeeding since the 60s and although there’s been a marked improvement, our starting point was incredibly low.
The Health Service Executive highlighted an 18.6% rise from 2015 in babies still being breastfed at their three-month check-ups. Still, only roughly a third (32%) of infants are entirely breastfed at this stage. An additional 10% are fed both breast milk and formula, meaning that 58% of Irish infants receive no breast milk at all by three months. This figure is extremely low in comparison to international standards. As a mother myself, I was determined to breastfeed my children, this choice was easier due to my friends and sisters-in-law who chose the same path.
It would be lovely to narrate a story of immediate success and thriving children, but that wasn’t the case. Such hardships may be why I feel empathy towards women who prefer bottle-feeding. While I breastfed all four of my children, the journey wasn’t smooth. The slow weight gain of my babies was met with the disapproval of the visiting public health nurse. There were numerous occasions when I almost gave up, had it not been for the support from volunteers from breastfeeding support groups.
The HSE employs 59 lactation consultants; however, only 35 are assigned to maternity wards, indicating a stark deficiency in necessary aid for new mothers, especially considering the 54,678 births recorded in Ireland in 2023. The recent budget addressed support for these consultants and the acquisition of hospital-grade pumps, but precise funding figures were not stipulated.
Research conducted in 2023 revealed several mothers recounting how, upon their babies experiencing latching difficulties, including conditions like tongue-tie, they were merely provided with formula. This solution, although easy, can lead to discomfort for the mother and distress for the baby. One woman even disclosed having to spend €100 to procure a breast pump, while formula was distributed freely.
A study into feeding practices for infants in direct provision suggested that dispensing free formula in maternity hospitals can hinder encouraging breastfeeding among asylum-seeking mothers. Yet, doesn’t this potentially impact all mothers? Ideally, any health professional should be capable of aiding with initiating or sustaining breastfeeding, but staffing issues and excessive workload can similarly hamper breastfeeding rates.
The healthcare sector is filled with dedicated individuals striving to bolster breastfeeding. Nevertheless, the HSE’s own report acknowledges difficulties caused by inadequate staffing of midwives and public health nurses.
Furthermore, Ireland plays host to a booming formula industry valued at around €1 billion per annum, incorporating significant exports to China. This industry, contributed to by six global infant formula manufacturers based in Ireland, makes our country far from a mere observer.
Legal regulations prohibit formula companies from advertising towards infants under six months of age. However, brands continue to elbow their way into consumer consciousness through a variety of clever tactics.
The promotion of so-called follow-on and growing up milks is a common practice, regardless of the worries linked to the impact ultra-processed foods may have on health. It’s troubling that formula producers have the liberty to advertise these ultra-processed milks for babies over a year old, despite the HSE’s official guidelines stating their total redundancy. This maintains brand visibility and indirectly advertises infant formula. Additionally, these companies often exploit digital media and engage key influencers.
We must modify our perception towards breastfeeding. Kilmallock, and by extension Limerick’s hospitality sector, has committed to creating a breastfeeding friendly environment. The rest of the locations need to adopt a similar approach, but instead, mothers are sometimes disallowed or asked to cover up in a misplaced sense of prudishness that’s both illegal and strange. Furthermore, although working mothers are given an hour for breastfeeding or pumping, how many workplaces supply clean, private, and welcoming areas equipped with milk storage facilities?
However, the compelling issue is not the bottle-feeding versus breastfeeding controversy among mothers. The reasons why someone may choose not to breastfeed are personal and varied, and could be influenced by various systemic factors. The broader issue is our society’s general disregard for breastfeeding, and the focus should be on altering this attitude.