World Breastfeeding Week August 1-7, 2008
Only 19% of women exclusively breastfeed their children within the first six months in Montenegro.PODGORICA, August 6, 2008 - On the occasion of the World Breasteeding Week (August 1-7, 2008) Ms Noala Skinner, UNICEF Montenegro Representative, Dr Olivera Miljanovic, Director of the Clinical Centre of Montenegro, and Dr Snezana Crnogorac, Head of the Maternity Ward of the Clinical Centre of Montenegro, held a press conference in the Clinical Centre in Podgorica on August 6,2008. "In Montenegro, latest research reveals that only 19% of women exclusively breastfeed their children within the first six months and only every fourth woman breastfeeds her baby within the first hour after birth." said Noala Skinner, UNICEF Montenegro Representative at the press conference.Dr Miljanovic and Ms Skinner called upon Montenegro' women to provide their children the best start in life by breastfeeding them and urged family members and health workers to support women to breastfeed. Virtually every mother can breastfeed, if given appropriate support, advice and encouragement, as well as practical assistance to resolve any problems. This year, under the theme "Support for Mothers" the World Breastfeeding Week calls for greater support to mothers in infant feeding: breastfeeding exclusively for six months and providing appropriate complementary foods with continued breastfeeding for up to two years or beyond. Recent scientific studies have found that education and support for mothers significantly extend the number of months that mothers breastfeed and is especially helpful in promoting exclusive breastfeeding. Other studies have shown that counseling and support in health facilities have led to increases in the number of mothers who initiate breastfeeding within the first hour of birth. Virtually every mother can breastfeed, if given appropriate support, advice and encouragement, as well as practical assistance to resolve any problems.
Breast milk provides all of the nutrients, vitamins and minerals an infant needs for growth for the first six months, and no other liquids or food are needed. Breast milk provides all of the nutrients, vitamins and minerals an infant needs for growth for the first six months, and no other liquids or food are needed. In addition, breast milk carries antibodies from the mother that help combat disease. Exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life reduces infant mortality linked to common childhood illnesses and under-nutrition. It also contributes to the health of mothers, and creates a bond between the mother and child.
Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative The Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative ( BFHI ), launched in 1991, is an effort by UNICEF and the World Health Organization to ensure that all maternities,whether free standing or in a hospital, become centers of breastfeeding support. A maternity facility can be designated 'baby-friendly' when it does not accept free or low-cost breastmilk substitutes, feeding bottles or teats, and has implemented 10 specific steps to support successful breastfeeding. 10 steps to successful breastfeeding 1. Have a written breastfeeding policy that is routinely communicated to all health care staff. 2. Train all health care staff in skills necessary to implement this policy. 3. Inform all pregnant women about the benefits and management of breastfeeding. 4. Help mothers initiate breastfeeding within one half-hour of birth. 5. Show mothers how to breastfeed and maintain lactation,even if they should be separated from their infants. 6. Give newborn infants no food or drink other than breastmilk, unless medically indicated. 7. Practice rooming in - that is, allow mothers and infants to remain together 24 hours a day. 8. Encourage breastfeeding on demand. 9. Give no artificial teats or pacifiers (also called dummies or soothers) to breastfeeding infants. 10.Foster the establishment of breastfeeding support groups and refer mothers to them on discharge from the hospital or clinic. |
