Why timely, trusted breastfeeding guidance matters
New parents are often bombarded with information from many sources. While much of it is helpful, the sheer volume can be overwhelming, and it isn’t always easy to know what to trust. That’s why timely, trusted guidance matters. The HSE online service, Ask Our Breastfeeding Expert, brings together a team of lactation consultants who respond not only to parents, but also to grandparents, public health nurses, GPs and other healthcare staff. The goal is clear advice — practical, evidence-based information that caregivers can rely on in real life.
Beyond answering questions, the service aims to reassure families when every hour feels important. Queries arrive at all hours, including the small hours when sleep is scarce and worries seem biggest. A quick, accurate reply can bring enormous relief and help families make confident decisions about feeding and care.
How the service works
The Ask Our Breastfeeding Expert service is designed to be accessible to those who care for a new baby. While online in many cases, it acts as a bridge to the wider network of in-person support that families can access locally. The team provides guidance that is practical and trust-building, with the understanding that each family’s circumstances are unique. The information shared is based on current best practice and tailored to individual needs—whether a parent is navigating early latch issues, nipple comfort, milk supply concerns, or general infant care.
Quick responses, 24/7 reassurance
One of the service’s most valued aspects is its responsiveness. Parents, grandparents, and frontline healthcare staff can receive answers swiftly, helping to ease nighttime anxieties and enable families to rest more easily. The emphasis is on clear, actionable steps that caregivers can try right away, along with options for follow-up if questions persist.
Building lasting relationships
Perhaps the most rewarding outcome is the sense of continuity families feel when they return for subsequent babies. A trusted relationship with lactation consultants creates a familiar, reassuring touchpoint that families rely on across different feeding journeys. This ongoing rapport reinforces the idea that seeking help is a normal, supported step in caring for a baby.
The science of closeness: breastfeeding and bonding
Newborns are often described as “carry mammals” because they need constant, close physical contact with their mother for survival. This closeness helps regulate the baby’s heart rate, respiration, and body temperature, and it can reduce crying episodes while promoting bonding and successful breastfeeding. Importantly, the more a parent responds to a baby’s need for closeness, the more secure and independent the child tends to become as they grow. This is a powerful reminder that breastfeeding support is not just about technique—it’s about nurturing healthy parent–baby relationships from the start.
Practical guidance you can use
Our service translates complex medical guidance into clear, practical steps that families can implement. Common questions—such as how to achieve a comfortable latch, how to respond to frequent feeding cues, or how to manage baby sleep in those early weeks—are addressed with simple actions, safety considerations, and practical timelines. The aim is to empower caregivers with confidence, not overwhelm them with information overload.
Beyond online help: connecting communities
Online support is one piece of a larger network. We encourage mothers and families to access the excellent face-to-face support available from public health nurses, community-based lactation consultants, and local breastfeeding support groups. In-person visits and group sessions can complement online guidance by providing hands-on help, shared experiences, and a community of peers navigating similar journeys.
Supporting families through the journey
The service is designed to assist mothers at every stage of breastfeeding, from newborn feeding to more complex challenges that may arise as babies grow. As work-life changes, travel, and family routines evolve, continuing access to trusted guidance helps families adapt with confidence. The overarching message is simple: accurate, practical breastfeeding information, delivered in a respectful, supportive way, can make a meaningful difference in a family’s early days and beyond.
