The role of P4C-based teaching in developing listening skills and lesson motivation: a mixed-methods study.

Breastfeeding is the natural and biologically normal way of feeding infants and young children, ensuring optimum growth and development. Breastfeeding offers a range of health benefits for mothers and infants. Infants who are breastfed have a reduced risk of developing asthma, obesity, type 1 diabetes and sudden infant death syndrome. Significant health benefits for mothers include a reduced risk of developing breast and ovarian cancers, type 2 diabetes, hypertension and cardiovascular disease. Breastfeeding is an environmentally sustainable practice with little or no waste, has a low carbon footprint and helps conserve natural resources. National and international recommendations from both the Health Service Executive, WHO and UNICEF state that infants should be exclusively breastfed (EBF) for the first six months of life, with continued breastfeeding to 2 years and beyond, along with complementary foods. However, despite these recommendations, Ireland has one of the lowest breastfeeding rates worldwide. In 2022, only 44 % of infants in Ireland were EBF upon discharge from maternity services. Women’s personal breastfeeding duration goals, whether those were met and their satisfaction with their own breastfeeding journey, has been minimally explored both in Ireland and elsewhere. A 2022 survey found that among over 5000 women who intended to breastfeed, just over 40 % planned to breastfeed for up to six months, 22 % aimed to breastfeed for up to one year, and 25 % did not have a specific breastfeeding goal. The misalignment between women’s personal breastfeeding goals and the recommendations from public health bodies suggests that current metrics for determining breastfeeding success used by researchers and public health authorities may not always be appropriate. While it remains important to encourage higher prevalence of breastfeeding, it is arguably equally important to celebrate women’s individual achievements and support women in feeling positive about their breastfeeding journey.