Ms Fiona Rea:

I agree with Ms Etherton. We very much see the partner's role as hugely important. Support is key when it comes to breastfeeding. It is very difficult to start out on one's breastfeeding journey alone without any support and who better to be one's primary supporter than one's partner? In that regard, our membership is made up of families as opposed to just mothers.

Yes, lactation consultations must be available and, ideally, without cost or through a system where cost is not the reason people do not lift the phone to ask for help. Primarily, from the hospital, we would have a referral pathway and midwives would send mothers home with a list of numbers for them to call, and GPs would have a list of numbers for the mothers to call. All that would be great so there is never a question in any mother's mind that if she needs help and support, she has numerous numbers to ring, and will get support without question.

Mothers should be checked on more regularly. There are baby checks and a six-week check for mums but we do not have check-ups where mums are asked how they are getting on with breastfeeding, whether they need support with breastfeeding or are having difficulties. Many people will not speak up if they are not asked questions and they may feel that they lack something because they are unable to breastfeed. We all know that breastfeeding is difficult to start with and having someone checking to see how one is getting on would really encourage mothers to avail of support. Also, word would go out that it is not unusual to need support with breastfeeding. We are busy in Cuidiú. Ms Cahill has been involved for 30 years and I have been involved for 20 years. We can attest to the fact that many mothers have come through the system and gone on to train as counsellors, which is lovely.

Education is hugely important. All of the lactation consultants in Ireland, as part of their qualification, re-certify every year with Continuing Education Recognition Points, CERPs, and by exam every five years. We continually go to study days and educate ourselves because things change. Breastfeeding is not rocket science but one learns more about it as the years go by and we top up our education. All of the Cuidiú tutors make sure that they keep up to date with the latest research and avail of the latest conferences to educate themselves. The same should happen for health nurses, GPs and midwives. Twenty hours of breastfeeding education is not sufficient and that is perfectly clear.