Just over a third of mothers are breastfeeding their newborns when they leave hospital according to a new study.
The Irish Maternity Indicator System report for 2019 shows that Ireland has one of the lowest breastfeeding rates in the world.
This report shows that just two out of three women start breastfeeding before leaving hospital.
63.8 per cent of women initiate breastfeeding at their baby’s first feed, compared with rates of 81 per cent in the UK.
79 per cent in the US and 90 per cent in Australia.
According to the study just over 37 percent of mothers are breastfeeding when they leave hospital with their newborn.
While one maternity unit in the country recorded a rate of under 20 percent, according to the Irish Maternity Indicator System report for 2019.
The report also shows that the total number of births in Ireland has fallen by almost 12 per cent since 2014 and almost 20 per cent since 2008.
While the rate of Caesarean sections increased again, to 34.3 per cent of all births.
