A repeated cross‐sectional analysis of breastfeeding initiation rates in Ireland for two decades and 10 recommended priorities for improvement. Issue 1 (22nd September 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Philip, Roy K.; Worobetz, Aubree; Byrt, Helen; Beirne, Irene; Zutshi, Raeghnya; Cassidy, Tanya; Dunne, Colum P.
• Is Part Of: Maternal and child nutrition. Volume 19:Issue 1(2023)
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2022-09-22
• Subjects: breastfeeding -- health promotion -- infant feeding -- infant formula -- lactation -- policy making -- population health; Children -- Nutrition -- Periodicals; Infants -- Nutrition -- Periodicals; Pregnancy -- Nutritional aspects -- Periodicals; Breastfeeding -- Periodicals; 363.8083
• DOI: 10.1111/mcn.13424
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1740-8695

Abstract

Abstract: Despite a number of public health and policy‐based initiatives, Ireland's national breastfeeding rates are among the lowest globally. Regionally, the Mid‐West of Ireland has historically had low breastfeeding initiation rates, and parts of its major urban area such as Limerick City suffer the highest levels of economic deprivation in the country. In that context, this repeated cross‐sectional study analysed breastfeeding initiation trends in the Mid‐West of Ireland for two decades, from 2001 to 2020 inclusively. Statistical analysis revealed persistently low percentages of women initiating breastfeeding in the region. Time series analyses of the data demonstrated that overall breastfeeding rates are increasing, but continue to be lower than Irish national averages. From these findings and a narrative review of published research, we determined 10 plausible reasons for these consistently low breastfeeding rates. Arising from these, we propose '10 Priorities' to increase the breastfeeding initiation rates in Ireland. Abstract : In this study, we attempted to analyse the breastfeeding initiation rates over the last 20 years for Ireland's Mid‐West region. Furthermore, we attempted to appraise the impact of deprivation in the defined city areas and, through a narrative review, proposed 10 evidence‐based themes, the '10 Priorities', to improve Irish breastfeeding rates. Key messages: For decades Ireland has had one of the lowest breastfeeding initiation rates globally, despite being a well‐educated European country with relatively well‐structured and supported public health policies. In the Mid‐West region of Ireland, overall breastfeeding rates continue to trend below national rates while concurrently housing some of the most deprived areas in the country. Reasons for a low breastfeeding rate encompass the social, cultural, religious, and economic contexts of Ireland. Improving regional and national breastfeeding rates is a complex, multi‐dimensional issue that can in part be addressed by the recommended '10 Priorities' for Ireland to increase the breastfeeding rate.