National Infant Feeding Survey (Republic of Ireland)

The National Infant Feeding Survey undertaken on behalf of the HSE by Trinity College Dublin. This study examined infant feeding in Ireland to determine the rate and duration of breastfeeding, the factors influencing women to breastfeed and the reasons given by women for stopping breastfeeding early.

The survey shows that 55% of participants put their baby to the breast after birth. Mothers who were born outside of Ireland were more likely to start breastfeeding (76%) compared with Irish born mothers (50%). Further, just 42% of those questioned were exclusively breastfeeding on leaving hospital following the birth of their child. This figure compares poorly to equivalent rates in other European countries UK: 78%, Norway: 99%, Denmark: 98%, Italy: 91%, Spain: 84% and France: 69%.

The survey revealed widely differing breastfeeding rates throughout Ireland; the highest breastfeeding initiation rate was in Dublin South East (78%) and the lowest rates were in counties Waterford and Louth at just 38%.

IPH
 
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