CHILDREN who have been exclusively breastfed for two years from birth will grow up to possess intelligent minds and become responsible citizens and can help raise the quality of life in Brunei.
From the year 2000 to 2009, there has been a significant increase in the number of mothers providing their breastmilk to the infants since birth until they turned six weeks old.
This was mentioned in a welcoming speech by the Minister of Health, Pehin Orang Kaya Johan Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Hj Adanan, during the launch of breastfeeding week at the Health Promotion Centre yesterday.
“In 2000, the percentage for this statistics (mothers exclusive breastfeeding until before the infant turns six weeks old) was 12 per cent,”he said.
He added: “However, the same research was carried out in 2009, and it shows that there has been a 50 to 68 per cent of infants being given their mother’s milk”.
Pehin Dato Hj Adanan also hoped that this percentage of providing breast milk will increase in the future.
Relevant authorities such as the entrepreneurs and commercial complexes are also hoped to prepare breast feeding rooms to cater to mothers.
“Through intensive research, the success of giving breast milk to a child exclusively for the first six months depends on the support of the society and the country,” he said.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (Unicef) have also provided steps to promote exclusive breastfeeding for six months through their document entitled “Global Strategy for Implementation of Infant and Young Child Feeding”, he said.
The minister also mentioned how the Al-Quran teachings in Surah Al-Baqarah have touched on the relationship between breastfeeding mothers and their infants.
He said that it was the mother’s obligation to breastfeed her child and that husbands or fathers play a role in supporting their wives in encouraging this act.
This year’s theme for Breastfeeding week is “Breastfeeding Just 10 Steps! The Baby-Friendly Way”, a theme supported by WHO and Unicef.
According welcoming speech by Dr Hjh Roselina Dato Paduka Hj Yaakub, head of obstetrics and gynaecology specialist at Ripas hospital, the theme aims to increase the number of exclusive breastfeeding all over the world.
“The decrease in breastfeeding all over the world is worrying and has become a safety and survival threat to infants because of the aggressive marketing of formula milk to both parents and health professionals,” she said.
Following the speeches, certificates were given to mothers who have been exclusively breastfeeding their infants.
The certificates were given to recognise their efforts as well as encourage breastfeeding amongst other mothers.
Siti Nurul Qamarina Ismail, 28, working at Giant, said that it wasn’t hard to exclusively breastfeed because she knew how to allocate the time.
Support was also very important because, everytime she had to breast pump, her mother would pick up her bottle at work to give to the baby.
Fadhliah Hj Taha, 32, unemployed, said that she has been breastfeeding for over a year and that support from her family was very important.
“My husband strongly encourages breastfeeding so it makes things easier,”she said.
There is a difference when you breastfeed, she said, because her child hardly gets sick and is pretty quick at “picking things” up. Aslina Ibrahim, 30, who has had five children, breastfed her first few children in the beginning for only four months.
“With the younger ones, I have been breastfeeding for two years and I notice how they’re very bright,”she said.
Siti Hamizah Zikara, 24, housewife, said that she has been breastfeeding exclusively for seven months and intends to continue until her baby reaches two years.
“I would encourage breastfeeding amongst mothers because it’s not only healthy for the baby, it’s healthy for you too,” she said.
The Brunei Times