Well Baby Breastfeeding Clinic in Galway City

The Well Baby Breastfeeding Clinic at Shantalla Health Centre was established late 2021 as a joint initiative of the Department of Neonatology in University Hospital Galway and the Galway Public Health Nursing Department. The clinic is governed by Dr Ethel Ryan, Consultant Neonatologist and Helen Martin, Director of Public Health Nursing, Galway Primary Care. The clinic is led by General Practitioner Dr Sinéad Gavin, who is also a qualified Lactation Consultant and an advanced tongue-tie practitioner. Dr Gavin works collaboratively with a team of Public Health Nurses to deliver the service weekly.

Dr Ethel Ryan, Consultant Neonatologist said, “The clinic offers timely support to breastfeeding mothers who are having difficulties identified by the Public Health Nurses and who are referred into the clinic. Common issues include latching and positioning issues, low milk supply, tongue-tie, poor or slow weight gain, excess wind, cracked nipples, mastitis and over-supply of milk. Each mother and baby are given a 45 minute appointment and this allows for a full history, assessment of breastfeeding and management plan.”

Helen Martin, Director of Public Health Nursing for Galway said, “Dr Sinéad Gavin and the Public Health Nursing Team have helped many mothers and their infants overcome initial feeding difficulties with great success. As the demand for the clinic has been unprecedented, we are planning to expand the service and a Community-based Lactation Consultant is being recruited.

“Breastfeeding rates nationally have increased by 5% between 2019 and 2021 with 59% of babies breastfed at the first Public Health Nurse visit after the baby is born and we strive to increase this number annually.

Ailish Killilea, Assistant Director of Public Health Nursing said, “This week (01 to 07 October) is National Breastfeeding Week and the theme is ‘Expert help for every step of the way’. We are delighted to run a Well Baby Breastfeeding Clinic here in Galway and there are many other supports available to parents including the ‘Ask the expert’ online breastfeeding advice service which is available on www.mychild.ie, with live chat available 7 days a week.”

Photo caption:
The Well Baby Breastfeeding Clinic in Galway, from left: Mary Boyle, Assistant Staff Officer; Mary O’Halloran, General Manager, Galway Primary Care; Ailish Killilea, Assistant Director of Public Health Nursing Galway; GP Dr Sinead Gavin, Lactation Consultant; and Clodagh Doherty, Student Midwife, University of Galway.