TODAY is the beginning of the HSE’s National Breastfeeding Week.
The annual event aims to highlight the important role that timely information and expert support play in helping families on their breastfeeding journey.
It will run until next Wednesday, and this year’s theme is, ‘Every step forward: Strengthening support for babies and families’.
Nationally, more than six in 10 babies in Ireland are now breastfed at birth.
This is an increase from 63.8% in 2019 to 65.8% in 2025.
Breastfeeding rates have also increased beyond the early weeks of life, with 51.5% of three-month-old babies breastfed, compared with 35.4% in 2015.
The HSE has expanded breastfeeding supports in recent years through the recruitment of specialist lactation midwives and nurses, community breastfeeding support groups, post-natal hubs and enhanced breastfeeding training for healthcare staff.
There are now 60 specialist infant feeding staff nationwide, while 805 healthcare professionals have completed the new National Infant Feeding Education Programme over the past two years.
HSE community public health nurse, Donegal and international board certified lactation consultant (IBCLC) Mary McFeely, said: “National Breastfeeding Week is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate mothers and families across Donegal and to recognise the importance of the support they receive.
“Breastfeeding can be a very positive experience, but it can also take time, patience, and support to get established.”
She added: “Our message to mothers is that they are not alone. There is support available in their communities, and we want mothers to feel confident and comfortable feeding their babies wherever they are.”
A number of events will take place across Donegal during National Breastfeeding Week 2026.
On Thursday, October 1, at the Radisson Hotel, Letterkenny there will be a fun and interactive event that will bring together local healthcare professionals and breastfeeding support organisations.
The event takes place from 9.30am to 1pm and will include speakers such as Denise Gillespie, public health nurse and advanced nurse practitioner in child health and parenting.
Denise will discuss normal infant sleep patterns, while representatives from the Human Milk Bank in Omagh will speak about breast milk donation.
The event will also welcome local La Leche League and Cuidiú volunteers, alongside colleagues from the maternity unit at Letterkenny University Hospital and Public Health Nursing.
To register for the Radisson Hotel event, please contact Mary McFeely, public health nurse IBCLC, Donegal Community Care, at [email protected].
As part of the week, mothers, babies and families are also invited to take part in the ‘Letterkenny Latch On’ event at Café Trax in Letterkenny Shopping Centre on Monday, October 5, from 10am to 11am.
This event aims to create a positive and welcoming space where mothers can feel comfortable feeding their babies wherever they are, while helping to make breastfeeding a visible, accepted and everyday part of caring for a baby.
No pre-booking is required for this event.
There will also be a breastfeeding mural unveiled at Letterkenny University Hospital on Thursday, October 1, at 2pm.