Awareness talks mark World Breastfeeding Week 2016

On the occasion of World Breastfeeding Week 2016, Danat Al Emarat Hospital for Women and Children in Abu Dhabi hosted a series of educational workshops in English and Arabic on breastfeeding benefits to the child and the mother. The workshops come in line with Danat Al Emarat Hospital’s drive to provide world-class health services for women and children and were attended by over 75 new mothers and mothers-to-be.

Led by a team of experts from Danat Al Emarat Hospital, the workshops focused on preparing expectant mothers for the vital days, weeks and months after their babies are born, encouraging them to breastfeed and providing them with the knowledge and confidence to successfully manage it.

“We are pleased to engage with future mothers during such educational gatherings in celebration of World Breastfeeding Week. Danat Al Emarat Hospital encourages new mothers to breastfeed by providing lactation advice and consultation to all mothers in line with our initiatives to improve the overall health of the community,” said Vino Nallaya, CEO of Danat Al Emarat Hospital.

During the workshop sessions, mothers-to-be listened attentively to presentations on the benefits of breastfeeding and received practical and useful information on the benefits of breastfeeding to the mom and the baby. For the baby, these include a reduced incidence of gastroenteritis, ear infections, respiratory infection, urinary tract infections, childhood obesity, asthma and eczema and others as per international studies.

One of the speakers stated that mothers who breastfeed have a reduced incidence of ovarian cancer, breast cancer, hip fractures in later life, postnatal depression, post-partum haemorrhage and helps with weight control. The women were also educated on the difference between breast milk and formula milk, as more healthy elements are only found in breast milk including anti-inflammatory enzymes, hormones and other rich nutrients.

Endorsing the importance of breastfeeding, Dr. Gowri Ramanathan, Head of Obstetrics and Gynecology Department and Director of Fetal Medicine Unit at Danat Al Emarat Hospital said: “Breastfeeding is very important not only for infants, but for mothers as well. The benefits are tremendous and extend beyond providing your children with the needed nutrients and vitamins, to supplying them with disease-fighting substances that protect from many illnesses, in addition to boosting their intelligence. Breastfeeding also helps improve mothers’ health.”

World Breastfeeding Week is celebrated every year, in over 170 countries around the globe, from 1 to 7 August and aims to raise awareness of the health and wellbeing benefits of breastfeeding for mothers, children and the long term public health.