August 5, 2001
An increasing number of mothers are breastfeeding their babies, for at least the first two months after child birth.
Among women attending the 50 Maternal and Child Health Centres of the Department of Health, those who adopted breastfeeding for more than two months rose from 18.7 per cent in 1998 to 24.5 per cent in 2000. As a result of the educational work done by the Family Health Service of the Department on pregnant women and mothers, the rising trend is expected to continue.
In addition, mothers adopting breastfeeding for more than a month also rose from 28 per cent to 34.4 per cent during the same period.
In support of the World Breastfeeding Week from August 1 to 7, the Department's Assistant Director (Personal Health Services), Dr Regina Ching, today (August 5) reiterated that the Department has been promoting breastfeeding among pregnant women and mothers as it had been internationally recognised that breast milk was the best and only natural food for babies.
The Department's Family Health Service has implemented a number of initiatives to promote breastfeeding. All pregnant women attending the Maternal and Child Health Centres were provided with information on the benefits of breastfeeding to enable them to make an informed choice on infant feeding.
"Ante-natal and post-natal activities, including talks, video shows, workshops and practical demonstrations are conducted. The number of antenatal activities increased from 1,683 in 1999 to 3,049 in 2000 while postnatal activities from 7,315 in 1999 to 11,570 in 2000," Dr Ching said.
Dr Ching said mothers were encouraged to join the ante-natal and post-natal breastfeeding support groups for reinforcement of breastfeeding practice in a conducive atmosphere.
Individual counselling and hands-on guidance were also provided to mothers to encourage sustained breastfeeding.
Breastfeeding rooms are provided in Maternal and Child Health Centres for the convenience of mothers and for privacy and comfort.
A summary of the breastfeeding policy, the International Code of Marketing of Breast milk Substitutes, and the Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding are displayed in the waiting area of each Maternal and Child Health Centre. Full version of the policy is also available in each Centre for public inspection on request.
Dr Ching said that to ensure pregnant women and mothers were provided with full and competent support, all frontline medical and nursing staff were equipped with up-to-date knowledge and skills in breastfeeding. On-going staff training programme on breastfeeding counselling is provided, based on the World Health Organization and UNICEF breastfeeding course.
To further enhance community awareness and to educate the public on breastfeeding, the Department's Family Health Service, the Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative and Hospital Authority will work towards producing a comprehensive educational kit.
"The kit will contain information leaflets and a booklet on various themes on breastfeeding and is expected to be ready early next year," Dr Ching said.
Nursing mothers and members of the public may call the Department's breastfeeding hotline 2961 8868 during office hours for additional information or support.