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The Department of Health (DH) is committed to the protection, promotion and support of breastfeeding by implementing a sustained breastfeeding policy in all Maternal and Child Health Centres (MCHCs) and workplaces within the department for breastfeeding mothers, a Senior Medical Officer of the DH, Dr Rachel Cheng, said today (July 31) at a press conference marking 2010 World Breastfeeding Week.
The theme of 2010 World Breastfeeding Week is "Breastfeeding: Just 10 steps! The baby- friendly way". Dr Cheng said, "The policy could facilitate creating a supportive environment in MCHCs to ensure a uniform practice among staff members in promoting breastfeeding and encouraging postnatal staff members to continue breastfeeding after resuming duty."
Emphasising that breastmilk is the best natural food for babies, Dr Cheng said the immediate and long-term health benefits of breastfeeding for babies and their mothers are well recognised.
She said, "Breastfed babies suffer fewer incidences of diarrhoea, respiratory and middle ear infections, and are less likely to develop allergies and childhood obesity later on. Breastfeeding promotes emotional bonding between mother and child.
"It also helps mothers recover more quickly after delivery, and reduces the risks of breast cancer and ovarian cancer."
The DH endorsed the recommendations of the World Health Organisation in encouraging exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months after birth, with subsequent introduction of complementary food after the age of six months while continuing breastfeeding until the age of two or beyond.
Recognising the implementation of the International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes as an important public health measure to protecting breastfeeding and ensuring proper use of breastmilk substitutes through marketing practices, the DH set up a multidisciplinary taskforce to develop and promote the Hong Kong Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes in June this year, Dr Cheng said.
On the trend in the prevalence and duration of breastfeeding in Hong Kong, Dr Cheng said the regular breastfeeding survey conducted by the Family Health Service in MCHCs since 1998 showed that the ever breastfeeding rate (mothers with a history of breastfeeding) has increased from 50% for babies born in 1997 to 74% for babies born in 2008.
The exclusive breastfeeding rate (those with no supplementary food) for babies four to six months old increased from 6% to 13% for the same cohorts of babies.
However, there is still room for improvement, compared with the higher rates reported in some other countries.
Dr Cheng called for sustained and concerted efforts from all sectors of the community, including families, healthcare professionals, the media and employers, to give encouragement and support to mothers to breastfeed their babies for a longer period.
Jointly organised by the DH, the Hospital Authority and the Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative Hong Kong Association, the seven-day 2010 World Breastfeeding Week will be further promoted through TV and radio advertisements, newspaper articles and media interviews to raise community awareness of breastfeeding.
Ends/Saturday, July 31, 2010
Issued at HKT 12:59
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