An Enniskillen woman has been named Northern Ireland’s Breastfeeding Champion 2026 at an event in Stormont’s Long Gallery.

Adele Paton received the award from Health Minister Mike Nesbitt during the More than Milk exhibition on July 21. The recognition was organised by the group Breastival.

Ms Paton founded the Breastfeeding in Northern Ireland Facebook group in 2013. It now has more than 16,000 members and offers round-the-clock peer support from trained counsellors and lactation consultants.

She works with Cherish Sure Start, supporting families from pregnancy until their youngest child turns four, and runs weekly breastfeeding groups in Irvinestown and Newtownbutler. She also volunteers with La Leche League International and as a peer support mother with the Western Health and Social Care Trust.

After receiving the award, Ms Paton said that when her first child was born 22 years ago she knew no one who was breastfeeding and there were no groups within an hour’s drive. That experience drove her to connect parents and share support.

Professor Nigel Rollins of Queen’s University Belfast, who selected the winner, described her as compassionate and deeply knowledgeable. The award drew 60 nominations, according to Breastival co-founder Dr Jennifer Hanratty.