29 July 2006
The Department of Health's effort in promoting breastmilk, the best natural food for babies, has produced fruitful results as surveys conducted regularly by the Department of Health (DH) in its Maternal and Child Health Centres (MCHCs) showed a rising trend in the prevalence and duration of breastfeeding in Hong Kong.
Speaking at a press conference on the 2006 World Breastfeeding Week today (July 29), the Senior Medical and Health Officer, Dr YC Lo, said that the exclusive breastfeeding rate increased from 6% for babies born in 1997 to 12% in 2004.
The ever breastfeeding rate also increased from 50% to 69% for babies born during the same period.
Dr Lo said, “However, there is still room for increase when compared to the higher rates reported in some other countries in the World.”
Emphasizing that breastmilk is the best natural food for babies, Dr Lo said the immediate and long-term health benefits of breastfeeding for babies and their mothers were well recognized.
“Breastfed babies suffer fewer incidences of diarrhoea, respiratory and middle ear infections, and are less likely to develop allergies and childhood obesity.
“Breastfeeding also promotes emotional bonding between mother and child, helps mothers recover more quickly after delivery and reduce the risks of breast cancer, ovarian cancer and osteoporosis.”
She appealed for continued and concerted efforts from all sectors of the community, including families, healthcare professionals, media and employers so that mothers could be imparted with sufficient information, encouragement and support to initiate and maintain breastfeeding for longer period for better health of the children in Hong Kong.
Dr Lo said that “The “International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes” set out simple, basic rules to regulate harmful marketing practices. Implementation of the Code is a key to infant and young child health.
The theme of the World Breastfeeding Week, from August 1 to 7 this year, is “Code Watch – 25 Years of Protecting Breastfeeding.”
Actually, Dr Lo said, the Code had already been incorporated in DH Family Health Service's breastfeeding policy six years ago, together with relevant resolutions of the World Health Assembly, as well as the “Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding”.
She said that this had facilitated a supportive environment in all MCHCs and to ensure a uniform practice among the staff members in promoting breastfeeding. Since then, there was no promotion or advertising of infant formula and other breastmilk substitutes in all MCHCs.
Dr Lo said, “DH endorses the recommendations of the World Health Organization's (WHO) expert consultation group by encouraging exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months after birth, with subsequent introduction of complementary food since the age of six months while continuing breastfeeding until the age of two or beyond. “
“MCHC colleagues are dedicated to help mothers to identify and solve their problems when they encounter any difficulties on breastfeeding.
Through structured training programmes such as the WHO/United Nations Children's Fund 40-hour training course on breastfeeding counselling, refresher courses and attachments, all MCHC colleagues are competent in providing effective breastfeeding coaching to mothers,” she said.
To cater for the needs of breastfeeding working mothers, a series of special workshops were launched at the MCHCs to equip them with more practical skills and get them well prepared for continuing breastfeeding upon resumption of work.
Community awareness on breastfeeding will further be enhanced by television and radio Announcements of Public Interest on breastfeeding, newspaper feature articles and media interviews.