Strengthening breastfeeding support
This year, in response to World Breastfeeding Week, the Ministry of Health has chosen the theme: "Enhancing support for breastfeeding at the workplace". The Ministry of Health has requested the Department of Health to coordinate with the Department of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs, and the Labor Federation of provinces and cities to guide industrial parks and enterprises with more than 1,000 female employees in the area to deploy rooms for expressing and storing breast milk at the workplace. Provincial general hospitals, medical centers of districts, towns and cities with obstetrics and pediatrics departments must comply with Decree No. 100/2014/ND-CP dated November 6, 2014 of the Government on trading and using nutritional products for young children, feeding bottles and artificial nipples; and implement Circular No. 38/2016/TT-BYT dated October 31, 2016 stipulating a number of measures to promote breastfeeding at medical examination and treatment facilities.
The Ministry of Health also recommends maintaining counseling activities for pregnant women and postpartum mothers on the benefits of breastfeeding; instructing breastfeeding mothers on how to breastfeed properly, exclusively for the first 6 months, and how to maintain breast milk supply. Provide essential care for mothers and newborns during and immediately after birth to contribute to increasing the rate of children being breastfed early within the first hour after birth. The Center for Disease Control and the Department of Reproductive Health Care coordinate with relevant units to disseminate information to all levels, sectors, and people on the importance of early breastfeeding within the first hour after birth, exclusively for the first 6 months, and continuing until 24 months of age.
Self-awareness and companionship
Many mothers, realizing the importance of breastfeeding, feed their children with their own milk when they give birth. Ms. Mai Thi Nhuong, residing in Tien Hung commune, Dong Xoai city, shared: “I gave birth to 2 children, both of whom were breastfed, the children are healthy, without any illness or disease. To have enough milk for my children, I eat nutritious foods, listen to the doctor's advice and consult the internet.” In addition to the mother's self-awareness, the encouragement and proper care of relatives, especially the father, makes breastfeeding even more meaningful. “When raising the first child, thanks to the nourishment my wife ate stewed pork leg with vegetables, combined with braised meat, she had a lot of milk. Eating enough nutrients to produce the best milk, breast milk is better than formula milk. Now my husband and I have given birth to a second child and are also exclusively breastfed. I still apply this way of eating to have enough milk and encourage my wife to breastfeed the baby until 8 months, the baby eats solid food, then my wife goes back to work" - said Mr. Nguyen Dan Chi from Kien Giang province, temporarily residing, working as a worker at Dong Xoai II Industrial Park, Dong Xoai City.
Great benefits of breast milk
According to specialist doctor I Nguyen Luong Minh, Head of the Department of Reproductive Health, Department of Population - Family Planning of Binh Phuoc province, breastfeeding is not simply providing nutrients for physical development but more importantly for the child's spirit and intelligence. During the breastfeeding process, the mother is stimulated to produce milk, making her more excited. When breastfeeding, the baby's body is pressed against the mother, stimulating respiration and cardiovascular system, helping the baby breathe better, especially in the first days after birth. The baby's heart rate develops in harmony with the mother's heart, helping to develop the circulatory system, making the baby feel secure, develop physically, gain weight, sleep better, and develop more evenly than children who are not breastfed.
According to specialist I Ka Thi Thuy, Department of Reproductive Health, Provincial Department of Population - Family Planning, breastfeeding brings many benefits to both mother and child. For the baby, breast milk in the first 6 months is full of nutrients. The first drops of colostrum are balanced in nutrition and contain antibodies. Milk from the breast flows directly into the baby's mouth so it is still fresh and warm, helping the baby prevent some diseases. Especially the baby absorbs well, does not have diarrhea, pneumonia, or otitis media.
Dr. Thuy added: Breastfeeding helps mothers to be more affectionate and increase the love between mother and child. This helps mothers not to be depressed. When the baby breastfeeds, it helps the mother to contract the uterus, not to bleed after giving birth, to prevent some diseases related to gynecology, to prevent breast cancer, ovarian cancer; to limit ovulation stimulation, and to prevent pregnancy. For the family, breastfeeding also saves time, effort, and money, and does not require spending money on buying milk. To ensure enough milk, mothers need to pay attention to breastfeeding completely according to their baby's needs, day and night. Mothers need to eat nutritious foods, get enough sleep, and drink enough water to maintain their breast milk supply.
As a specialist and also a mother, Dr. Thuy advises: During pregnancy, if the mother eats well to gain 9-12kg, then throughout the pregnancy and breastfeeding, the figure is still guaranteed. Breastfeeding with breast milk, the child develops comprehensively. Depending on the person, if using formula milk, the child may not be suitable and will have allergies, not ensuring resistance.
“In the first 6 months after birth, babies should be exclusively breastfed. In the 7th month, solid foods should be introduced and babies should be breastfed continuously until 24 months. For mothers who are breastfeeding, in addition to paying attention to the origin and safety of food to avoid poisoning that affects the mother and the development of the child, meals must also ensure adequate nutrition.” Specialist Doctor I NGUYEN LUONG MINH |
According to doctors' recommendations, breastfeeding also brings "many wonderful and unexpected benefits". Breast milk is not only the best food for the health of infants and young children, but also helps reduce the risk of leukemia in children; prevents autoimmune diseases; sudden death while sleeping; obesity... Therefore, pregnant women who intend to feed their children with formula should reconsider. Because breastfeeding, in fact and science, has proven that it is not only good for the health of children and mothers, but also significantly reduces the risk of breast cancer, something that any woman is always concerned about.
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