Breastfeeding Rates in Ireland Rise to 51.5% at Three Months
Breastfeeding rates in Ireland have increased to 51.5% for babies at three months of age as of 2025, according to data released ahead of National Breastfeeding Week. This represents a 16% increase from the 35.4% rate recorded in 2015, though hospital-initiation rates remain lower than those in the UK and Spain.
Irish Breastfeeding Trends and Decadal Growth
Data released for National Breastfeeding Week (October 1-7) shows a steady upward trend in Irish breastfeeding habits over the last ten years. Approximately 65.8% of mothers now initiate breastfeeding immediately after birth, a 2% increase over the previous six years. By the three-month mark, 36% of babies are exclusively breastfed, reflecting a nearly 10% increase since 2015.
Despite these gains, a gap exists between initiation and exclusive feeding during the initial hospital stay. Only 34.6% of newborns were fed solely breastmilk while in the hospital, a figure significantly lower than the 54% reported in the UK and 74% in Spain.
Factors Affecting Hospital Feeding Rates
Laura McHugh, the HSE national breastfeeding co-ordinator, attributes the lower hospital-exclusive rates to a combination of medical complexity and personal choice. McHugh notes that increases in induction rates and Caesarean sections, along with the needs of preterm or sick babies who require alternative nutrition, impact these statistics.
The HSE recommends aiming for exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months, but McHugh emphasizes that the reasons for using formula in a hospital setting are “multifactorial.”
Challenges of Breastfeeding for Preterm Infants
The experience of Jayne Patterson Roulston, a mother of four from Co Donegal, highlights the specific difficulties associated with premature births. Roulston’s third son, Louis, was born at just over 34 weeks weighing 2.15kg with a twist in his gut. He required surgery at CHI at Crumlin within 24 hours of birth and spent nearly five weeks in the hospital.
Roulston reports that Louis struggled with milk intake and suffered from severe reflux after discharge, requiring medication. While she bottle-fed her first two sons to avoid being “entrapped” by a baby while running an equestrian yard, the medical challenges faced by Louis led her to reconsider breastfeeding for her fourth child.
Overcoming Physical Barriers to Nursing
Roulston, who breastfed her fourth son, Robert (born at 36 weeks and two days), described the initial process as a struggle, noting that her milk supply was not massive and required formula supplements.
She described the physical sensation of nursing as feeling like a “vice” due to sensitive nipples, stating that she had to “battle through” the first few days to establish the practice.
Comparison of Breastfeeding Rates by Region and Timeline
| Metric | Ireland (2015) | Ireland (2025) | International Comparison (Hospital) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Breastfed at 3 Months | 35.4% | 51.5% | N/A |
| Exclusively Breastfed at 3 Months | lower | 36% | N/A |
| Exclusive Hospital Feeding | N/A | 34.6% | UK: 54% / Spain: 74% |