Madam, - Miriam Donohoe's column of March 6th certainly would not encourage any mother to breastfeed.
She alludes to her own negative experience and mentions the lack of available supports as reasons why mothers often give up. But support is available both from medical professionals and voluntary groups such as Cuidiú and La Leche.
For many women, breastfeeding is an enjoyable and fulfilling experience. Indeed, mothers who have breastfed are often the first to encourage new mothers to do so. The health benefits for mothers and children are well established.
The percentage of mothers breastfeeding in Ireland is among the lowest in Europe, with only about 10 per cent continuing to breastfeed a month after birth. The Labour Party wants to introduce a new parental leave system which would provide for up to one year of paid time off for mothers. This would encourage new mothers to breastfeed, and to do so for longer. We also advocate strengthening community-based support through increasing the number of public health nurses.
The change in attitude required to effect a major switch to breastfeeding will take time. Unfortunately, in the meanwhile, breastfeeding mothers themselves will be among the key players in standing up to ingrained negative social attitudes. For many mothers it is a small price to pay for the rewards which nursing brings. We should support them in every way we can. - Yours, etc.,
LIZ McMANUS TD, Labour Party Health Spokesperson, Leinster House, Dublin 2.