Ballina hosts Breastfeeding Awareness Week event

Ballina Breastfeeding Support Group held an event for Breastfeeding Awareness Week, which ran from October 1st to 7th.

Breastfeeding has many positive benefits for mother and baby. It is important for optimum growth and development of the baby, whilst providing bonding and nurturing between mother and baby. Research shows that breastfed babies have a decreased risk of childhood obesity and chronic diseases, and for the mother decreased risk of breast cancer, ovarian cancer, and diabetes. Breastfeeding is cost-effective and convenient – it is at the optimum temperature therefore no sterilisation is required. And it is environmentally friendly too!

Maria Flannery-O’Boyle, lactation consultant and HSE public health nurse based in Ballina, who supports the Ballina Breastfeeding Group, said: “Remember that every breastfeed makes a difference. Breastfeeding support is available to pregnant women or women who are already on their breastfeeding journey, from their maternity unit, GP, practice nurse and public health nurses.”

Mayo CYPSC Coordinator, Jarlath Munnelly, said that Breastfeeding Awareness Week was a good time to remind the wider community of Mayo about the ‘We’re Breastfeeding Mayo’ project, and encouraged businesses and public places to get involved.

“I would encourage any businesses or public bodies, particularly those frequented by breastfeeding mothers to join ‘We’re Breastfeeding Mayo’ to make the county a more supportive place for breastfeeding mothers.”

The Ballina Breastfeeding Group meets every Wednesday morning upstairs in the Ballina Manor Hotel from 10.30am to 1pm and is open to all new mothers. For more, visit www.mayo.ie and search for ‘Healthy Mayo’.