Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 10, 2026

Standardized Measurement of Nasal Membrane Transepithelial Potential Difference NPD
Published on: September 13, 2018
Determinants of breastfeeding initiation in Ireland
L Gallagher1, C Begley2, M Clarke2
1School of Nursing and Midwifery, Trinity College Dublin, 24 D'Olier Street, Dublin 2, Ireland. gallagl8@tcd.ie.
Background:
Ireland continues to rank among countries with the lowest breastfeeding initiation rates. National and regional studies also show that few women in Ireland who initiate exclusive breastfeeding continue to breastfeed for the recommended 6 months.
Aim:
To assess the rate of exclusive and partial breastfeeding in Ireland at three time periods: birth to 48 h, 3-4 months following birth, and when the infant was 6-7 months old.
Methods:
A longitudinal national cohort survey of 2527 mothers.
Results:
Findings show that just 56 % (n = 1002) of mothers initiated breastfeeding at birth and, at 48 h, 42 % (n = 1064) of women were exclusively breastfeeding their babies. At 6-7 months, only 2.4 % of the 2527 mothers who took part, reported exclusive breastfeeding. Irish women were less likely to initiate breastfeeding (52.6 %) compared with Polish (82.2 %), British (64.5 %), and other nationalities (74.6 %). Multivariate analysis also revealed significant relationships between initiation and socio-economic variables, with mothers' health insurance status being of particular importance.
Conclusion:
The results highlight the necessity to support the initiation and maintenance of breastfeeding in Ireland, in order to reduce rates of infant morbidity.
Related Concept Videos
Anatomy of the Intestines
Small Intestines
The small intestine is an ~7 meter-long tube with an inner diameter of just 2.5 cm. Since most nutrients are absorbed here, the inner lining of the small...
Parental Care
Nursing Interventions II: Selecting and Classifying the Nursing Interventions
Environmental Influences on Intelligence
Development of Human Microbiota
Development of the Oral Microbiota

