Limerick town hopes to become fully ‘breastfeeding friendly’

The theme for this year's event is 'Supporting You from Bump to Baby and Beyond'.

Led by Limerick City and County Council's Healthy Limerick, in partnership with the HSE and Children and Young People Services Committee (CYPSC), the campaign originally launched in 2019.

More than 80 businesses, organisations, and community groups signed up to promote breastfeeding-friendly environments. The relaunch aims to renew the focus on creating welcoming spaces where mothers can comfortably breastfeed.

And there's particular emphasis this time on Kilmallock, amid plans to make the town an official 'breastfeeding-friendly' connurbation.

Healthy Limerick Co-ordinator at Limerick City and County Council, Olivia O'Brien stated: "We're very ambitious for this campaign; speaking to businesses, community groups and organisations in Kilmallock there is great interest in making premises breastfeeding friendly. In fact, we are working toward making Kilmallock a breastfeeding friendly town."

Mayor of Limerick, John Moran, will officially relaunch the campaign at Kilmallock Library this Sunday. He encourages businesses and organisations to sign up, stating: "We're Breastfeeding Friendly Limerick is more than just a campaign; it is a commitment to creating a supportive environment for breastfeeding families across our city and county."

Research shown by the initiative states that positive attitudes from staff and other patrons greatly enhance a mother's comfort in breastfeeding publicly. In response to recent legislative changes, the campaign also offers guidance to employers on creating breastfeeding-friendly workplaces for mothers returning to work.

Upcoming events in Limerick for National Breastfeeding Week 2024 include;

Family-Friendly relaunch of We're Breastfeeding Friendly Limerick: With Mayor John Moran at Kilmallock Library on Sunday, 29 September.

Buns & Breastfeeding at Limerick Social Services Child & Family Centre: A celebration of breastfeeding mums and their families on Tuesday, October 1.

Lactation Consultants at Crescent Shopping Centre: Raising awareness and offering support on Tuesday, October 1.

Symposium on Promoting Breastfeeding for Future Generations: Raising awareness at the University of Limerick on Wednesday, October 2.

Buns & Breastfeeding at Limerick Social Services Centre: Coffee and buns for families, hosted by Community Mothers on Friday, October 4.

Businesses and organisations interested in joining the campaign can sign up by allowing breastfeeding in public areas and educating staff about the initiative.

More information and resources are available on Limerick.ie.