Resources for Healthcare Professional

Positioning, and Attachment Engorgement, Ductal Narrowing, Mastitis and Abscess Mastitis while Breastfeeding  Nipple Pain Low milk supply Tongue Tie WHO and Marketing of Breast Milk Substitutes Code Feeding Cue (Available in; English, Spanish, Chinese, Korean, and Vietnamese) Use of Soothers and Nipple Shields

WEBINAR 1: BREASTFEEDING IN GENERAL PRACTICE 1 accomplished writer, director, and actor Stefanie Preissner talks to Marina Cullen (Midwife and IBCLC, Rotunda Hospital) Dr. Sarah O'Connell (GP, Edenpark Medical in North Dublin) and Ailís O'Sullivan (La Leche League Leader and Professional Liaison Officer, IBCLC). They talk about a range of issues including milk supply issues, dealing with pain, baby positioning and mastitis.   WEBINAR 2: MEDICINES AND BREASTFEEDING Stefanie Preissner talks to professor Afif El- Khuffash (Consultant Neonatologist and Paediatrician, International Board Certified Lactation Consultant) and Laura Dowling (Pharmacist, Fabü Founder, and winner of the prestigious 2022 pharmacist of the year award) about the misconceptions around the use of medications when breastfeeding.   WEBINAR 3: BREASTFEEDING IN GENERAL PRACTICE 2 Stefanie Preissner talks to Stefanie talks to Lisa Carroll (Midwife and IBCLC, Rotunda Hospital) , Fiona Carty (PHN, IBCLC) and Rachel Conway (GP, Nurse and Midwife, IBCLC) about antenatal care, dealing with inhibition about breastfeeding, sharing feeding with partners, how to encourage women to breastfeed, and the use of formula top-ups.  

BREASTFEEDING REPOSITORY FOR HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS Dublin North City and County breastfeeding resources breastfeeding in general practice conversations with Stephanie Preissner an e-booklet containing links to evidence based resources and tools that will support healthcare professionals to help families achieve their breastfeeding goals.

• Indications, contraindications and dosage for specific drugs
• Drug interactions and adverse effects
• Drug use in pregnancy, breastfeeding, liver and renal impairment
• Identification of medicines

The NMIC service is available to all prescribers. The service can be contacted by telephone,  (01) 473 0589 or 0818 727 727  email or post.

Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine ABM Publishes Protocols to Facilitate Best Practices in Breastfeeding Medicine. “These protocols serve only as guidelines for the care of breastfeeding mothers and infants and do not delineate an exclusive course of treatment or serve as standards of medical care. Variations in treatment may be appropriate according to the needs of an individual patient”.

Examples ABM, Tongue Tie ABM, Jaundice

Hales Medication and Lactation Dr. Hale's Lactation provides an online resource and app to risk rate medications to inform women and healthcare professionals of their potential risk during lactation. St James Hospital The Medication Safety Programme aims to ensure the safest possible environment for patients at all stages of the medication use process. This unit will accept calls from Health care professionals with regard to medication and lactation National Policies / Strategies It’s imperative that Healthcare professionals work within their scope of practice and in addition to this within policy frameworks. There are many resources available to staff with the HSE website such as HSE national policies (maternity and community), BOAT, the WHO Code, and WHO Code guide for staff HSE Breastfeeding - Healthy Childhood Programme This link provides healthcare professionals with access to policies, factsheets, websites, and research/reports.

The international Code on the Marketing of breastmilk substitutes (WHO CODE) ALCI adheres to the International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes and subsequent applicable World Health Assembly resolutions, and supports the implementation of this Code in Ireland and worldwide.

“Breast-milk substitute” means in this context, any food being marketed or otherwise represented as a partial or total replacement for breast milk, whether or not suitable for that purpose.

“Complementary food” means any food, suitable as a complement to breast-milk or to infant formula, when either becomes insufficient, to satisfy the nutritional requirements of the infant. May also be called “weaning food” or “breast-milk supplement”.

The aim of the CODE is to contribute to the provision of safe and adequate nutrition for infants, by the protection and promotion of breast-feeding and by ensuring the proper use of breastmilk substitutes, when these are necessary, on the basis of adequate information and through appropriate marketing and distribution.

The CODE applies to the marketing and practices related to the following products: breast-milk substitutes, including infant formula, other milk products, foods and beverages including bottle-fed complementary foods, when marketed or otherwise represented to be suitable, for use as a partial or total replacement of breast-milk. It also applies to feeding bottles and teats, their quality and availability and to the information concerning their use.

HSE, HSE Policy on the Marketing of Breast Milk Substitutes, Quick Guide. HSE, WHO Marketing GuideWHO Code of Marketing of Breast milk Substitutes Fact sheet for Health care professionals To report a Code Violation, simply fill out the report found by clicking here.

BFLGI advocate for protection of infant and maternal health through the strengthening of Irish legislation, regulations, guidance and policies to bring them in line with the International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk substitutes (WHO CODE) and subsequent relevant World Health Assembly Resolutions.

BFLGI monitor the advertising, marketing and promotional activities of the above. They challenge activities that mislead or fail to comply with agreed marketing standards. They work collaboratively with other like minded organisations and represent Ireland as a member of the International Baby Food Action Network (IBFAN).

To report a Code Violation, simply fill out the report found by clicking here.

The Human Milk Bank The Western Trust Milk Bank opened in Co Fermanagh, in August 2000. Since then it has helped thousands of neonatal babies all over Ireland. This milk is transported via volunteers around Ireland weekly.

Public Please contact your maternity hospital to enquire what Breastfeeding antenatal support is available to you Private There are many antenatal educators and antenatal support with breastfeeding can assist you on your breastfeeding journey. (new ALCI link to find an LC / antenatal educator)

Private Practice IBCLC Supports An International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) provides breastfeeding support and research-based information. There are many IBCLC’s in private practice in Ireland. They offer antenatal and postnatal support. This support may be available in the parent(s) home.

HSE ‘My child’ – Breastfeeding Advice and support on starting breastfeeding and common breastfeeding questions answered HSE ‘Ask the Expert’ – Lactation Consultant If you have any breastfeeding questions or concerns the HSE offers Irish residents access to a lactation consultant (breastfeeding experts) via live chat or email.

Milk Donation- Human Milk Bank The Western Trust Milk Bank opened in August 2000. The bank also helps babies with major gut or heart problems by providing milk to their homes. Through the generosity of its donors, the milk bank provides very special help for the nation’s most vulnerable babies.

Support Groups play a crucial role in promoting, protecting, and supporting breastfeeding parents. The following entities provide support groups within the community, which may be led by peers, healthcare professionals, or mothers themselves. Cuidiu offers childbirth education, postnatal support and breastfeeding support at local meets and events - Empowering parents to make informed choices through knowledge and mutual support and to progress fulfilled through all stages of parenthood, from pregnancy to raising children to adulthood. La Leche League of Ireland is a voluntary organisation that provides information and support to all those who want to breastfeed or give their babies human milk. Friends of Breastfeeding provides peer-to-peer breastfeeding support. They have breastfeeding peer support groups across the country called Mum 2 Mum groups, and one-to-one support for pregnant or breastfeeding mothers through their Breastfeeding Buddy System. HSE Advice and support on breastfeeding through Public health-facilitated breastfeeding support groups in communities across the Republic of Ireland and in some cases community Lactation Consultants.

Northern Ireland Breastfeeding Information and support links for Northern Ireland

All International Board Certified Lactation Consultants (IBCLCs) are accredited by the International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners (IBLCE) which is the governing and regulatory body for IBCLCs. The Association of Lactation Consultants Ireland (ALCI) does not investigate complaints against IBCLCs and does not make judgments about individual IBCLCs. By providing contact details for its members, ALCI does not endorse any individual IBCLC. Complaints about your IBCLC should be addressed to IBLCE. View the IBLCE complaints process by accessing http://iblce.org/resources/disciplinary-procedures and completing a complaint form.

ALCI has compiled a comprehensive list of additional resources that may be beneficial for you. You can access this information within the Parent and Members sections of the website. Explore the provided resources to enhance your experience and knowledge.