A number of private companies come with an initiative to support breastfeeding

On the World Breastfeeding Week, Andy's Pizza and La Plăcinte - the largest restaurants network in Moldova, become friendly nursing homes, coming with an innovative initiative in the spirit of the protection of children's rights. Starting this day, each mother will be able to breastfeed the baby in a space set up in these places, frequented mostly by families with children, where a pillow for breastfeeding will be available, which she can use to support child.

Breastfeeding is the best way to give your newborns the necessary nutrition for growth and development. The World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF recommends exclusive breastfeeding of the baby up to 6 months and continued breastfeeding with the gradual introduction of complementary food up to two years. Exclusive breastfeeding is defined as a breastfeeding practice in the first 6 months of life without other food or water.

"Maternal milk has antibodies for all kinds of diseases the mother has passed through, so it's a living protein and hormone diet, including growth, and breastfeeding is an important step in every mother's life. The Ministry of Health, Labor and Social Protection supports and promotes the initiative to provide as many breastfeeding-friendly settings as possible so that at this wonderful stage in the life of any mother it is possible to have an active social life. In this way, fathers will also be involved as reliable helpers and active participants at this beautiful moment, "said Secretary of State of the Ministry of Health, Labor and Social Protection Rodica Scutelnic.

"Companies that have decided to open breastfeeding facilities today have demonstrated that corporate social responsibility is more than a philanthropic activity," said Desiree Jongsma, UNICEF Country Representative in Moldova. "Child-centered corporate social responsibility contributes to the country's sustainable development as well as to the health and well-being of children."

Otilia Dragutanu, president of Women's Association of Entrepreneurs, said:

"We are glad that we have the opportunity to be partners of this initiative that we consider important for mothers, children, but also for society in general. I was pleasantly surprised to see that entrepreneurs are very open to cooperating and creating special places for breast-feeding in the offices and offices to provide extra comfort to the mothers. Moreover, they are willing to revise company policies and integrate mothers and children's rights into business practices."

The Republic of Moldova has proposed to increase the proportion of exclusive breastfeeding in the first 6 months to 70% by 2020.

According to the MICS (2012) study in the Republic of Moldova, only 36% of children are breastfed exclusively in the first 6 months of life, half of the children (48%) are breastfed continuously until 1 year of age and only 12% are breastfed continuously until 2 years of age.

The initiative was carried out by the Association of Women Entrepreneurs of Moldova (AFAM) and in partnership with the Mamica Alapteaza initiative group and the Ask a Mom platform with the support of UNICEF Moldova and with the support of the Government of Switzerland.

Supporting breastfeeding is part of the corporate social responsibility of a company, be it its customers or its employees. Soon some other private companies will join the initiative.

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About the benefits of breastfeeding

Exclusive breastfeeding is the cornerstone of child survival and health, providing it with all the nutrients it needs for healthy development. Breast milk is safe and contains antibodies that protect children from diseases such as diarrhea and pneumonia, the two leading causes of infant mortality worldwide. In addition to the immediate benefits to children, breastfeeding contributes to a healthy life. Adolescents and adults who have been breast-fed are less likely to be overweight or obese, have type 2 diabetes, and perform better in intelligence tests.

About the World Breastfeeding Week

The World Breastfeeding Week is marked annually in over 175 countries and is intended to encourage breastfeeding to improve the health of children around the world.

About the Global Campaign "Early Moments Matters"

"Early Moments Matter is a UNICEF global campaign to raise awareness of the importance of the first 1,000 days of child's life.