Source document: https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/1694836112616.pdf (Ireland)
Meeting of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health Wednesday 12th May 2021 Opening Statement by Ms. Geraldine Cahill, Cuidiú The lack of breastfeeding supports in maternity services BREASTFEEDING IS ONE OF THE SMARTEST INVESTMENTS A COUNTRY CAN MAKE TO BUILD ITS FUTURE PROSPERITY.

It offers children unparalleled health and brain- building benefits.
It has the power to save the lives of women and children throughout the world, and the power to help national economies grow through lower health care costs and smarter workforces.

Cuidiú's vision is education and support for parenthood.

Our mission is to provide evidenced based information to parents allowing them to make informed choices about pregnancy, childbirth and breastfeeding.

We also aim to provide a supportive background to empower parents to act upon their decisions in the above areas.
Cuidiú has gradually developed into a formal structure with 26 branches and groups around the country offering a diverse variety of support services to Parents.

Branches have evolved differently according to the interests and expertise of the membership but the ethos of every branch is overseen and directed by a central board of directors and members of teaching panels for Antenatal, Breastfeeding and Parenthood support.
Consistently since the early 1980’s the backbone of Cuidiú has been made up of dedicated volunteer parents who train as Antenatal Educators, Breastfeeding Counsellors, Parenthood Supporters and who have served on local and national branches as committee members.

Breastfeeding is normal and natural and like all other mammals we are designed to feed our babies.

Healthy newborn infants are born with a host of natural reflexes and instincts that help them to breastfeed.
Accurate information and a good support network can help make breastfeeding an easier and more enjoyable experience.

As part of our organisation we have almost 100 (?)

fully qualified voluntary breastfeeding counsellors(BFC).

Our BFC's offer telephone support and host breastfeeding support groups and coffee mornings throughout the country and during the recent pandemic, most groups swiftly pivoted to online support.

Whatever parents' needs, Cuidiu is there to provide a listening ear.
The overarching aim of the Breastfeeding Action Plan 2016 – 2021 is to increase breastfeeding initiation and duration rates, by supporting and enabling more mothers to breastfeed.

The parts that relate to Cuidiu are ... 3.5 Provide infant feeding antenatal education for all pregnant women.

This has been allocated to the Acute hospitals, but there is also a place for Cuidiu and other services to provide Breastfeeding education.
3.6 Develop a clear referral pathway for mothers requiring additional breastfeeding support before and after birth, to Lactation Consultants (IBCLCs).

Again we would see that Cuidiu could have a role here, giving us clear guidelines as to who we can and should refer to and also having GP’s and PHN’s refer to us when mum needs support rather than clinical help.
3.9 Provide breastfeeding support groups in all CHO areas through: Maternity and public health nursing services, Grant agreement with voluntary organisations La Leche League and Cuidiu.

Provide social support groups through grant agreement with Friends of Breastfeeding.

Cuidiu and the other groups have been working steadily in this area over many years now with support from the HSE, we would note however that the funding has been decreased whilst expectations grew.
3.11 Implement evidence-informed programmes and initiatives to promote breastfeeding, provide support and address barriers for women least likely to breastfeed.

We would see a role for Individuals who have been trained by Cuidiu, in being part of a multidisciplinary task force of stakeholders who have expertise and can help communities to set up their own support systems.
As we said in our opening BREASTFEEDING LAYS THE FOUNDATION FOR GOOD HEALTH: • The Lancet estimated that scaling up breastfeeding to a near universal level could prevent 823,000 child deaths per year • By supporting mothers to breastfeed, nearly 50 percent of diarrhea episodes and a third of respiratory infections would be avoided.

• Breastfeeding has been found to reduce the risk of childhood obesity and diabetes.
• Breastfeeding contributes to delayed return of menstruation and thereby, to birth spacing.

• The Lancet estimates 20,000 breast cancer deaths could be prevented annually as a result of optimal breastfeeding.

• The Lancet reported that shorter durations of breastfeeding for children were associated with a 2.6 point loss in IQ scores.

We see Cuidiu being a partner in achieving the above goals and the new plan that will be organised going forward from 2022.

Thank you for listening.