More mothers in Qatar are choosing to breast-feed their newborns due to awareness about the importance of breastfeeding and the protective effects of breast milk on infant health, as result of national initiative to encourage the practice.
“Due to the awareness about the benefit of breastfeeding, an increasing number of mothers in the country choose it as the best way to ensure their newborn’s healthy growth,” said Dr. Marwa Samir Hamdy, Lactation Specialist at Al Wakra Hospital.
“It is encouraging to see that more women are aware of the benefits of breastfeeding in the recent years. In fact, Qatar’s National Health Strategy is focusing on developing an integrated national program for maternal and newborn health which includes promoting exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life,” she told The Peninsula.
Hamad Medical Corporation has allocated breastfeeding clinics in the outpatient departments of the Women’s Health and Research Center and Al Wakra Hospital as part of a national initiative to promote exclusive breast-feeding for six months and continuous breastfeeding until the baby is two years.
The breastfeeding clinic provides essential services and support to mothers who want to successfully breastfeed, including mothers who are having difficulties in breastfeeding.
“The antenatal clinics encourage and prepare women for breastfeeding, prior to delivery. A doctor examines the mother and if she shows any complications that may hinder breastfeeding, necessary guidance and medicines are provided. The aim is to increase the number of mothers breastfeed their babies at least during the first six months,” said Dr. Marwa.
“Babies should be exclusively breastfed during the first six months, it is the normal way of providing young infants with the nutrients, antibodies, enzymes, and substances they need for healthy growth and development,” she said.
Dr. Marwa said that, breast-feeding can build a special connection between a mother and her baby, adding that it is one of the many ways mothers and babies bond.
“All mothers can breastfeed, provided they have accurate information, and the support of their family, the healthcare system and society at large,” she said.
Dr. Marwa also emphasized that exclusive breastfeeding reduces infant mortality from common childhood illnesses such as diarrhoea and pneumonia and helps ensure a quicker recovery from illness.
Also to align with the global Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative of World Health Organization (WHO), HMC implement practices that protect, promote and support breastfeeding.
“We at Al Wakra Hospital have taken my steps to be recognized by the WHO for the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative. We are paving the way for the WHO recognition,” said Dr. Marwa.
While, to mark the World Breastfeeding Week, (from August 1 to 7), the Ministry of Public Health, HMC and Primary Health Care Corporation together hold a social media campaign with seven key messages including, ‘breastfeeding is the first vaccination for the baby’, ‘breastfeeding helps the mother to lose weight gained during pregnancy’, ‘breastfeeding helps to protect children against many diseases’, ‘working mothers can breastfeed because breast milk can be stored’ and ‘the mother can always ask for help.’
According to Dr. Marwa, a study held in 2015 has revealed that 18 % of Qatari mothers and 36%of expatriate mothers in the country exclusively breast-feed their babies in the first six months.
Also according a study by Sidra Medicine, lack of information and support by family and work place prevent mothers from wanting to continue breastfeeding.
“These findings are important to know the reasons and find solutions to encourage breastfeeding practice,” said Dr. Marwa.
