QEH Strengthens Breastfeeding Support for Mothers and Babies

As Barbados joins the international community in observing World Breastfeeding Week from August 1–7, the Queen Elizabeth Hospital is strengthening its efforts to ensure that mothers receive practical, informed and continuous support throughout their breastfeeding journeys.

The 2026 theme, “Breastfeeding for a sustainable start in life: strengthen what works,” calls on health systems, workplaces, families and communities to build upon approaches that have been shown to improve breastfeeding outcomes.

At the QEH, this means supporting mothers before delivery, during their hospital stay and after they return home.

“The vision is to make breastfeeding the culture,” said registered nurse, midwife and breastfeeding advocate Shermena Kirton during the season 5 finale of the QEH Pulse Radio Show.

Support beginning before birth

Breastfeeding education begins in the QEH Antenatal Clinic, where expectant mothers can learn about topics such as positioning and attachment, recognising a baby’s feeding cues, skin-to-skin contact and preparing for the early days of breastfeeding.

Throughout August, short breastfeeding education sessions will be held in the clinic from 8:00 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. Mothers may attend even when it is not their scheduled clinic day.

“Education, education, education,” Kirton emphasised. “It’s just where we put our education so that you can access it.”

Following delivery, QEH teams promote skin-to-skin contact where clinically appropriate. This early contact can help the baby adjust after birth and support the initiation of breastfeeding.

As part of the hospital’s Baby-Friendly practices, mothers and babies remain together on the postnatal ward whenever possible. Keeping babies close allows mothers and their support persons to become familiar with early feeding cues and respond before the baby becomes distressed.

The hospital also works to protect the breastfeeding journey when a mother and baby must be separated, including when a newborn requires specialised neonatal care. Mothers are supported with expressing breast milk, while the clinical team determines the safest and most appropriate way to meet each baby’s nutritional needs.

Continuing support after discharge

For many mothers, the most difficult part of breastfeeding begins after they leave the hospital. Challenges may include discomfort, difficulties with attachment, concerns about milk supply, tiredness and uncertainty about whether the baby is feeding adequately.

“We want to ask the mothers to reach out to us,” Kirton said. “If you’ve had a bad journey, we want to hear about it, so that in your next journey we can encourage you differently.”

The QEH is exploring the development of a dedicated breastfeeding clinic where mothers experiencing difficulties could receive assistance before their routine six-week follow-up appointment.

Mothers can also access support through community partners, including the Breastfeeding and Child Nutrition Foundation, which provides breastfeeding information, consultations and a virtual breastfeeding support group.

Creating breastfeeding-friendly workplaces

Support must also continue when mothers return to work. Kirton encouraged employers to provide a private, clean and comfortable space where employees can express breast milk, along with appropriate refrigeration and washing facilities.

“Somewhere private, comfortable to sit, a fridge and somewhere to wash up stuff—that’s it,” she explained.

Providing these basic accommodations can help mothers continue breastfeeding after maternity leave while also allowing them to fulfil their professional responsibilities.

Breastfeeding Month at the QEH

Although World Breastfeeding Week is observed from August 1–7, the QEH will continue its breastfeeding awareness activities throughout August.

• On Thursday, August 6, the hospital will host an information and pop-up day on the ground floor from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Representatives from the Labour Ward, Postnatal Ward, Antenatal Clinic, Private Obstetric Ward and neonatal services will be joined by external exhibitors offering information and resources for mothers, families and the wider public.
• A breastfeeding seminar and awards programme will also be held in the QEH Auditorium on August 19 from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. The programme will examine successful approaches to breastfeeding support and how these can be strengthened across the health system and wider community.

The QEH recognises that every mother’s circumstances and breastfeeding experience are different. Compassionate guidance, accurate information and timely clinical support are therefore essential.

As Kirton reminded listeners, “Breastfeeding takes work, but the benefits are greater than the work.”

By strengthening support within the hospital, at home, in the workplace and throughout the community, the QEH remains committed to helping mothers and babies achieve a healthier and more sustainable start in life.