Western Trust staff attend launch of NI Breastfeeding Action Plan
Staff from the Western Health and Social Care Trust have attended the launch of the Department of Health NI Breastfeeding Action Plan during Breastivals ‘More Than Milk’ Exhibition in Stormont.
Susan Rogers, Lead Nurse for Public Health and the Human Milk Bank, and Nicola Burchmore, Community Infant Feeding Lead at the Western Trust said they were ‘delighted’ to attend the strategy launch in person.
Susan also passed on her congratulations to two of dedicated Western Trust Community Infant Feeding Leads, Nicola Burchmore and Bronagh McSorley, who were both nominated as Breastfeeding Champions 2026.
“This recognition is a testament to their unwavering commitment, passion and dedication to supporting families and promoting breastfeeding within the community. We are incredibly proud of them and the entire Infant Feeding team. Well done ladies,” a Western Trust spokesperson said, adding: “Also congratulations to Adele Paton from Cherish Surestart who won Breastival Breastfeeding Champion 2026.”
The Department of Health said the new Breastfeeding Action Plan 2026 to 2029 builds on the foundations and strategic direction of the previous breastfeeding strategy, and sets out a ‘clear, coordinated programme of action to improve breastfeeding outcomes for mothers, children and families for the next three years’.
The plan aims to improve breastfeeding support, create more breastfeeding-friendly environments, and reduce inequalities. It will deliver targeted actions including enhanced staff training, expanded community support, public awareness initiatives, and measurable targets to increase breastfeeding rates.
Launching the plan at the Breastival event, Health Minister Mike Nesbitt said: “Breastfeeding can bring significant health benefits to babies, as well as mothers, and can give children the best possible start in life. Breastfeeding rates in Northern Ireland remain lower than we would like, and significant inequalities continue to exist. Addressing those inequalities must remain a key area of focus.
“That is why the Breastfeeding Action Plan is so important. There is no single breastfeeding journey. Every mother, baby and family has their own circumstances, challenges and successes. By recognising and celebrating that diversity, we can help create a culture where women feel supported and empowered to make the choices that are right for them and their families.”
Deidre Ward, Interim Assistant Director for Starting Well at the PHA said: "Breastfeeding provides extraordinary benefits for both babies and also mothers. It gives children the best possible start in life and also improves their health and development throughout life. However, we know that many women face challenges with breastfeeding and that support from families, communities, healthcare professionals is essential. We also know that how our society more widely, in its attitudes and beliefs, workplace environments and social media, can make it easier - or much harder - for women and families to follow the infant feeding practice they want.
“Through strengthening support services, raising awareness and tackling inequalities, we are committed to implementing the plan and helping to build a society where breastfeeding is normalised and mothers feel empowered and supported to make the feeding choices that are right for their family."
Jennifer Hanratty, Breastival Board Chair and Co-Founder said: “We welcome the new action plan's ambition to accelerate improvement in breastfeeding outcomes. We're heartened to see that normalising breastfeeding and empowering women are strong features of the new plan. "