Wide range of Mayo events planned for National Breastfeeding Week

An array of events are being planned across Mayo ahead of National Breastfeeding Week.

Taking place from October 1-7, this year the theme for National Breastfeeding Week is ‘Supporting you from Bump to Baby and Beyond’.

Events include several branches of Mayo County Council's libraries will be reading from the story ‘Milky’ by Maria Betsworth, while in Mayo Movie World in Castlebar on Sunday, October 6, the movie ‘Joyride’ will be shown for breastfeeding mums and their babies.

In addition, there will be an information stand in the foyer of Mayo University Hospital, as well as outside Penney’s in Castlebar and Tesco in Swinford for anyone interested, as well as education sessions in Mayo University Hospital, Westport and Swinford.  

There will be six of the weekly breastfeeding support groups running as normal, in Ballina, Claremorris, Castlebar, Charlestown, Turlough and Westport. 

Breastfeeding Awareness Week in Mayo is being supported by the HSE, Healthy Ireland and Mayo CYPSC, Mayo Family Resource Centres, and Friends of Breastfeeding. 

Claire Larkin from Community Lactation Consultant in Mayo highlighted that mums to be are always welcome to Mayo support groups to ‘pick up tips from other mums on what to expect in those early days’.

She added: “Our mums are always very honest and giving in their lived experience. We're always looking forward to meeting them back to the groups with their new baby!’’

“Our support groups are safe spaces for mothers at all stages, whether someone is pregnant and thinking about breastfeeding, new to breastfeeding and has questions, or are having problems with breastfeeding,” continued Ms Larkin.

Breastfeeding mum, Maura Tilbury from Westport commented on her experience with the support group: “During the difficult initial weeks of establishing breastfeeding, Claire provided so much advice and reassurance, and it is due to this support I have been lucky enough to continue breastfeeding for this length of time.”

For the full programme of events for Breastfeeding Awareness Week in Mayo, please visit the Mayo County Council website, and for more information about breastfeeding support see the HSE website.