October 14, 2019:
Breastfeeding mothers, and mums to be, in Tallaght attended a special ‘meet and greet’ and health information morning, as part of Tallaght Welcomes Breastfeeding.
More than 40 breastfeeding mothers attended the event at the Civic Theatre, as well as expectant mothers and grandmothers.
The event was part of the Tallaght Welcomes Breastfeeding (TWB) project, which was established almost a year ago to boost breastfeeding in Tallaght, by the Fettercairn based Childhood Development Initiative (CDI).
HSE Senior Clinical Psychologist Ciara McCarthy spoke with mothers about how breastfeeding enhances the relationship with their child – and Public Health Nurses, Community Dieticians and a Speech and Language Therapist attended to provide advice and support.
The Coordinator of CDI’s Ante-natal to Three programme Emma Reilly said it was “great to see expectant mothers who were looking to connect with breastfeeding supports before the arrival of their babies”.
She said it had been a busy few weeks for Tallaght Welcomes Breastfeeding, as it was shortlisted in the Irish Healthcare Centre Annual Awards at the end of September. In early October it was one of a small number of community programmes invited to Áras an Uachtaráin to be greeted by the President’s wife Sabina Higgins.
CDI was accompanied to the Áras by Tallaght Public Health Nurses Nora Byrne and Rachel McClusky who have been leading drivers of greater breastfeeding knowledge and skills in Tallaght.
Tallaght Welcomes Breastfeeding is being supported by Public Health Nurses, the Coombe Women and Infants University Hospital, Tallaght University Hospital, Early Years Services, the Local Arts Centre (Civic Theatre) and parents and a local secondary school.
Figures released in 2018 showed a stark difference in rates across Dublin, with initial breastfeeding uptake rates reported at 84% in Dublin South East, 81% in Dublin South City, but lowest at 48% in Dublin South West, which incorporates the Tallaght area.
Further Information
Ronan Cavanagh, Cavanagh Communications: (086) 317 9731.