Mothers in the county are often encouraged and supported when feeding their babies in public, according to Adelle Patton, from support groups Breastfriends in Enniskillen. 

Speaking ahead of a chairman’s reception at Enniskillen Townhall this Thursday, as part of Breast-feeding Awareness Week which will also see the castle lit up pink, Adelle said breast-feeding rates in Fermanagh were high thanks to the great support available to mothers, from the hospital to groups such as Breastfriends, which is attended by the local lactation nurse, to people on the street. 

“It’s all about support and getting the right information,” said Adelle, who breast-fed her three children and has worked with hundreds of women through Breastfriends over the past decade. 

“Breast-feeding in public is really not a problem here, the public is very supportive too,” she said. “In fact, mothers have said people come up to them, both men and women, saying they remembered when their own little ones being breast-fed.”

Aoife Balfour, mother to three-year-old Mia, said she had breast-fed her daughter from birth until she was 15 months old for a range of reasons, such as the health benefits for mother and baby.

“I would definitely do it again,” said the Enniskillen woman, who said mothers shouldn’t be put off by fears over the baby’s sleeping schedule. “The connection you have with your baby because of it is brilliant, and after a while you do get into a regular pattern.”

Aoife said she had never experienced difficulties when breast-feeding in public, and while she was a little apprehensive at first, once she “got in the swing of things”, found places locally where she could relax with a coffee and feed Mia without worrying about it. 

She added she was given great support at the South West Acute Hospital (SWAH), particularly from the lactation nurse in the hospital who was very helpful and patient, and when she returned home.

“You didn’t feel like you had to get it right straight away, which is very important,” said Aoife, who added it was very important for mothers to donate milk if they can to help other mothers and babies. 

Aoife added, though, that while she said breast-feeding is “well worth it”, mothers who are unable to shouldn’t despair.

“Many mothers try and can’t do it,” she said. “They shouldn’t feel like they are letting their baby down.”

Breastfriends meet every Thursday at the Barnabas Centre at Darling Street, from 10am-12.30pm. There will also be a celebration of breast-feeding at the Bawnacre Centre in Irvinestown this Friday, June 24, from 10am-1pm which will include help and advice, baby yoga, hypnobirthning, baby massage, refreshments, walks, and a picnic.