FV Hospital responds and celebrates the World Breastfeeding Week from 1st- 7th August with the theme “Step up for Breastfeeding: Educate and Support“. FV aims to contribute and support the community gain more knowledge and understanding about the importance of this meaningful and scientifically proven practice.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), providing information and skills training to mothers is key to improving breastfeeding rates. WHO studies show that, when mothers have a good understanding and skills of breastfeeding, they tend to prolong breastfeeding period. Thereby, benefiting their babies and help family save a considerable amount of money.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, health care services to support mothers and babies, including advice and guidance on infant care techniques and breastfeeding, faced many obstacles. However, many countries adopted innovative solutions such as online consultation and training. These activities to support the programme were maintained in the past 2 years.
Therefore, the 2022 goals of WABA and WHO will focus on strengthening the capacity of healthcare workers and medical support staff in the promotion of breastfeeding. These staff will create a chain of support in the community, which in turn encourage the government, healthcare system, the workplace, and everyone around them. They will provide information on breastfeeding skills and help maintain a breastfeeding-friendly environment for families.
Breastfeeding does not only improve children’s nutrition it also ensures food security and it also brings emotional bonding to the family. It is expected that the efforts of FV Hospital during the World Breastfeeding Week will bring many benefits to children, mothers and the community.
The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that infants be breastfed for the first 6 months of life, then mothers continue breastfeeding with complementary foods for up to 2 years and for as long as possible. WHO also recommends early and uninterrupted application of skin-to-skin contact between mother and baby. The kangaroo method significantly improves with newborn.