. La Leche League of Ireland is celebrating UNICEF World Breastfeeding week by launching an illustrated colour leaflet" entitled Breastfeeding - the Best Beginning. The leaflet, which was funded by the" Health Promotion Unit of the Department of Health, is based on a detailed analysis of over 7,000 contacts made by parents to La Leche League in 1995. It also gives telephone helpline numbers for additional support and information from experienced members countrywide.
It is available from maternity hospitals, health clinics, G.P. surgeries, on request from the Health Promotion Unit and from the World Breastfeeding stand in the St Stephen's Green Shopping Centre until Wednesday.
A telephone helpline and support group meeting have been organised by the Coombe Women's Hospital, Dublin for breastfeeding mothers, expectant mothers, partners, healthcare professionals, and anyone who is interested in the subject. The telephone helpline 01 4537430 will operate today, tomorrow and Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and callers can benefit from bank holiday reduced rate calls today. Questions should be prepared in advance to help ensure maximum advantage in the time available. In addition, a Breastfeeding Support Group meeting to offer support and guidance to both mothers and health care workers takes place in the hospital on Wednesday between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. providing an ideal opportunity to meet others with shared concerns and queries.
As an ongoing service the hospital has separate leaflets for both mothers and healthcare professionals and these can be obtained by sending a stamped self addressed A4 envelope, specifying which leaflet is required, to the Matron's Secretary, Coombe Women's Hospital, Dublin 8. The leaflet for mothers is also available in the Irish language entitled Treoracha do mhna at mhian leo cioch chothu a thabhairt.
. In Sligo a Breastfeeding Support Group will be launched on Friday at 6 p.m. in the Sligo Silver Swan Hotel with special guest Ciana Campbell. More information from Anne Carr at 071 46102.
. Cuidiu, the Irish Childbirth Trust, is running a coffee morning at Teazers in the Douglas Court Shopping Centre, Cork from 10.30 a.m., to noon tomorrow in celebration of World Breastfeeding Week.
. Asthma affects at least 5 per cent of Irish adults, which means that roughly one in every 20 pregnant women has asthma. This is just one of the statistics highlighted in a new information leaflet produced by the Asthma Society of Ireland to allay any fears of expectant mothers. The pamphlet is available from the Asthma Society, 15-17 Eden Quay, Dublin 1; Tel 01 8788511, fax 01 8788128. A year's membership of the society costs £5 and entitles sufferers to the comprehensive 48 page Asthma Information Booklet, the Asthma Society Newsletter with all the latest news on treatment and research, plus a wide range of other leaflets on asthma. Expectant mothers can get valuable recorded information as well as contact numbers for specially trained nurses for the price of a local call on 1850 445464.