Sabina Higgins has criticised maternity hospitals for 'throwing out' mothers too soon after giving birth.

Ms Higgins held an event in Áras an Uachtaráin yesterday to mark the start of national breastfeeding week.

In her speech, she the widespread advertising of baby formula, arguing that breastfeeding should be promoted more.

Hospital stays

Former Master of the National Maternity Hospital Peter Boylan agrees that longer stays in hospital would better support new mothers.

He told Newstalk Breakfast: "I think from that point on view women are having to leave hospital too soon, particularly first time mothers - they usually would need a lot more help in establishing breastfeeding."

Compared to other developed countries, Ireland has some of the lowest rates of breastfeeding.

Only 40% of new mothers continue breastfeeding three days after leaving hospital, and less than 10% are breastfeeding after six months.

Stigma

Dr Boylan said: "The reasons for that are probably a combination of things but partly not enough time being given after the woman or first-time mother's had a baby."

"A long-term problem in Irish society with body image among women and societal attitudes towards breastfeeding, particularly in public, and also socioeconomic and education issues."

He believes that the ideal situation is that every community has a good midwifery service so that mothers can receive home visits to help with breastfeeding and general recovery from birth.

Main image shows a mother carrying her newborn baby. Picture by: © UNSPLASH/Holie Santos