The benefits of breastfeeding cannot be denied. Breast milk promotes sensory and cognitive development, and protects the infant against infectious and chronic diseases, according to the World Health Organisation. It is a nutritious and environmentally safe source of sustenance for your child.
Other than providing benefits to the baby, breastfeeding also helps lower the mother’s risk of breast cancer, ovarian cancer, osteoporosis, cardiovascular disease, and obesity. For all mums out there, it is strongly encouraged for mothers to exclusively breastfeed during the first 26 weeks (or six months) of an infant’s life.
Beneficial for a Baby’s Development
By 2025, the Ministry of Health Malaysia targets to have 70% of infants under six months old be exclusively breastfed.
Currently, only 47.1% of infants under six months old are being exclusively breastfed, said State Health Director Dr Zaini Hussin. For the target to be met within six years, the ministry is collaborating with University Sains Malaysia (USM) and the World Alliance of Breastfeeding Action (WABA) to bring awareness of breastfeeding practices to the general public, along with other efforts to increase exposure.
He said that they needed to emphasise on the roles played by different parties, as breast milk is the best for a baby’s development. This not only involves the mother, but also the father and the community.
He made this statement during a conference on infant and child nutrition which was officiated by the Universiti Sains Malaysia Health Campus director, Prof Datuk Dr Ahmad Sukari Halim. The conference was attended by 250 participants from throughout the country, including medical practitioners, according to Bernama.
One of the factors that caused women to not breastfeed was their careers, said Dr Zaini. However, he pointed out that many workplaces had adequate facilities to accommodate nursing mothers. He added that mother’s milk is not just about nourishment for the baby, but that it is the best substance for a child’s positive development.
For more information about parenting and family, please visit Motherhood.com.my.