Pippa Hackett (Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I welcome Senator Pauline O’Reilly’s motion. This is an historic occasion. This is the first time that a motion on breastfeeding has been brought to the Seanad and that is worthy of note.

Ultimately, as Senator Pauline O'Reilly said at the start, this is about choice and giving women choice. All of the data stack up in terms of the benefits of breastfeeding. I was fortunate to be able to breastfeed four of my children. They will be mortified if they hear me saying this now but I was very lucky. I had difficulty breastfeeding my first baby but there was a wonderful lactation nurse in the hospital and I went back to her several times in those first very fragile couple of days and weeks. I also attended some La Leche League meetings but it took six or seven weeks for me and my baby to really get the hang of it. Had I not had any support then, I fear I probably would not have done it. That would not have been the end of the world but it was something that I was very determined to do. Those first babies are so important because I knew for my second, third and fourth babies that I could do it. I knew that it could be done. It had done it and I could do it again. There is a certain confidence that women need and that is where the support and the advice come into play - the security blanket of speaking with others who understand the issues and can help and explain them away.

The benefit of breast milk to infants is absolutely unchallenged but the benefit of breastfeeding to women is not given as much consideration. It is really important in the postpartum period and is one of the best things women can do to get back into shape. It can potentially delay the return of menstruation and is a method of contraception, if nothing else. There are lots of benefits to breastfeeding for the longer term health and well-being of both mother and child.

I am not going to speak for the Minister of State but am grateful to him for spending some time with our guests in the Public Gallery before the debate began. The Government hears the voices and the pleas of our guests. I am sure the Minister of State will address their concerns and the points made in Senator Pauline O'Reilly's motion. I thank our guests in the Public Gallery for being here today. As Senator Pauline O'Reilly said, women like me have relied on the voluntary support they have provided for years. Now it is time for the Government to step up to the mark and provide the support that is needed.