National Breastfeeding Week marked in Waterford

**Full interview below**

National Breastfeeding Week is currently underway, with events taking place across the country to mark the occasion in association with the HSE and breastfeeding groups Cuidiú and La Leche League.

The theme of this year’s National Breastfeeding Week is ‘Supporting you from Bump to Baby and Beyond’ and it aims to raise awareness of local supports for parents.

Locally, an award-winning mural depicting a mother and child breastfeeding has been showcased as part of the Waterford Walls project in the city.

The “Annabelle and Billy” mural in Ballybricken, Waterford, completed by renowned London-based French street artist Zabou, was commissioned through Waterford Walls (and sponsored by Waterford City and County Council and Mulligans Pharmacy) and was launched for last year’s National Breastfeeding Week.

Pictured at the “Annabelle and Billy” mural by Zabou in Ballybricken, Waterford are (left to right): Maeve Roche (Clinical Nurse Manager 2, Infant feeding and lactation, HSE Community Healthcare), Brianna Connaughton (Health Promotion and Improvement Officer, HSE), Claire Bulfin (Lactation consultant, University Hospital Waterford) and Grace Walsh (Clinical Nurse Manager 2, Early transfer home scheme and outreach, Maternity Dept., University Hospital Waterford).

In the meantime, the “Annabelle and Billy” project won the “Media feature/Artwork of the Year” category at the Friends of Breastfeeding annual awards at its annual awards ceremony held in Dunboyne Castle, Co. Meath in May of this year.

The Breastfeeding Friendly Waterford Interagency working group initiated the “Annabelle and Billy” project. Participants in the group include the HSE, Waterford City and County Council, the Sláintecare/Waterford Healthy Communities initiative, Cuidiú (parent-to-parent breastfeeding support group), Réalta Centre for Arts and Health, Waterford Libraries, Autism Friendly Waterford and the Children and Young People’s Services Committee Waterford.

The mural is on the gable end of Mulligan’s Pharmacy, at the junction of Ballybricken Green and St. Patrick’s Terrace.

Maeve Roche (Clinical Nurse Manager 2, Infant Feeding and lactation, HSE Community Healthcare) said the mural ties in with the HSE’s own 2024 National Breastfeeding message of “Supporting you from bump to baby and beyond” and added that there are numerous breastfeeding support resources available throughout Co. Waterford, including support groups in Cappoquin, Dungarvan, Tramore and in Waterford City.

Local support groups

Cuidiú provides breastfeeding support to mothers across Ireland, including several locations across Waterford City and County.

Members of the Cuidiú Breastfeeding Support Groop, Waterford Central Library.

Members of the Cuidiú Breastfeeding Support Group, Waterford Central Library.

Danni Desmond, who uses the service with her newborn in the city, spoke to WLR at a breastfeeding support group meeting (pictured above) this week.

"The group is so handy to have in Waterford and there are a few of them around the county also. I would be lost without them. They taught me so much about breastfeeding such as tips etc. that I wouldn't have known before, as I struggled to get my little one onto the bottle."

"Tara O'Donnell, Mother and Committee Member at Waterford Cuidiú added," I am on the committee for Cuidiú. I look after the fundraising and host some of the parent and toddler groups in Waterford.

"I help with hosting the groups in Carrickpherish and we also have a parent and toddler group in Tramore."

Margo Heffernan, mother to her seven-month-old Daughter said meetings are good for mother and baby adding."She is doing well and into everything and has lots of little friends in the group. It's great. This is my first baby and so far so good she is a great little kid."

Grace Walsh (Clinical Nurse Manager 2, Early transfer home scheme and outreach, Maternity Dept., University Hospital Waterford) said that for anyone interested, expert advice is available at all times from the HSE by way of the “My Child” website, featuring a guide to pregnancy, baby and toddler health, trusted information from experts and information on and contact details for health services and support.