"There is no substitute for mother's milk": World Breastfeeding Week in Bosnia and Herzegovina
SARAJEVO, Bosnia and Herzegovina, 1 August 2008 - On the occasion of World Breastfeeding Week (1-7 August), UNICEF and the International Baby-Food Action Network (IBFAN) took it to the streets to promote the importance of exclusive breastfeeding for children. While UNICEF volunteers distributed leaflets with important information on breastfeeding benefits, a team of doctors was on hand to consult with those who wanted to know more. UNICEF and IBFAN’s promotional stand was set up on the main walking street in the centre of town, as a result of support received from the city government. Tea Reljić and Alen Tabaković were among the volunteers. “Our people simply consider this odd,” said volunteer Alen on the fact that a man was distributing leaflets on breastfeeding. “It is not my first time to volunteer and I am always pleased to help. I’m studying economic science and besides distributing flyers we are helping to promote and exchange ideas.” Volunteer Tea is from Texas, USA. “I am currently on vacation,” said Tea. “When I heard that UNICEF is seeking volunteers for this action, I immediately applied. In Texas volunteering makes up part our grade in school, so it’s an opportunity to combine both the practical and the pleasurable.” For those questions volunteers like Tea and Alen had difficulty to answer, they would be referred to the team of doctors. “I noticed lot of future mothers that passed by were interested in the topic,” said Dr. Mira Ademović, a pediatrician. “However, it seems that there are many who still don’t realize the importance of breastfeeding and don’t want to understand because they are refusing to take leaflets.”
For those who wanted to know more, Dr. Ademović would explain to them that exclusive breastfeeding consists of breastfeeding the baby for the first six months of live without any supplements and continuing breastfeeding while adding adequate nourishment until the child is two years old. Dr. Ademović added that exclusive breastfeeding is important not only for healthy childhood development, but it also helps to form a strong emotional bond between mother and child. Dr. Ademović pointed out that the rate of exclusive breastfeeding in BiH, according to the last results, is only 17 per cent, a figure that is far from international standards. “It is important to give to future mothers correct information about the benefits of exclusive breastfeeding and provide support so that they don’t give up on exclusive breastfeeding,” said Dr. Ademović. “Mother’s milk is the best aliment for the child and nothing can adequately replace it,” she added. Dženana Zaimović is pregnant with her second child. She approached the team at the stand to confirm the necessity of having information on proper breastfeeding. “I was lucky that my mother-in-law is a midwife and she gave me the necessary information,” said Dženana. “If she wasn’t there, I doubt that I would have received the advice that I required. That’s why I think activities like this are very much needed to keep the future mothers informed.” Selena Bajraktarević, Manager of the Health and Early Child Development projects in UNICEF, said that the aim of this action is to raise the rate of exclusive breastfeeding closer to a European standard of between 30 – 40 per cent.
World Breastfeeding Week Turkmenistan: A baby-friendly initiative expands to every corner Uzbekistan: Celebrating the World Breastfeeding Week Tajikistan: Supporting breastfeeding mothers Bosnia and Herzegovina: "There is no adequate substitute for mothers’ (breast)milk" Azerbaijan: Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative a success World Breastfeeding Week (official website) |
