The Sharjah Baby-Friendly Emirate campaign held its first training workshop entitled "Together, for a breastfeeding-friendly environment" in the Supreme Council for Family Affairs building.
The workshop forms part of the efforts of the campaign organizers to encourage working women to breastfeed, and to showcase the substantial role of breastfeeding in the proper growth and upbringing of the child. In this context, several seminars and educational sessions have been held for female employees in various governmental and private departments in the emirate. These dealt with promoting and supporting breastfeeding, and creating a friendly environment for the mother and child. The most recent workshop was aimed at supervisors of nurseries and employees, and was extended to include the segment of women who hold senior management positions.
Ms. Eman Rashid, Deputy Director of the Executive Committee of the workshop initiated with a presentation about the Sharjah Baby-Friendly Emirate campaign and the four initiatives designed to enhance the culture of breastfeeding in the community and enable women to fulfill their mission to the fullest.
The workshop consisted of six lectures. The first lecture was held under the title of "The importance of breastfeeding" and highlighted the most important points that underpin the process of breastfeeding, and its significance to the health of both the child and the mother.
The second lecture, which was titled "Protection of breastfeeding", highlighted the overall laws for the protection of breastfeeding globally and locally, and the International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes. It also touched on the implications of breach of the code, and the importance of guiding breastfeeding mothers to be aware of any breach of the code. The third lecture focused on "Obstacles to breastfeeding," outlining the difficulties that prevent completion of the breastfeeding process and recommending ways to find the appropriate solutions.
The fourth lecture dwelt on the importance of early breastfeeding from the first hour after birth, and the importance of physical contact between the mother and child as this plays a central role in creating a warm and intimate mutual relationship between the two. The lecture also delved into the best positions and timing for breastfeeding. It did not link this process to specific times, but to what fulfills the unique needs of the child. Various inferences and tips were given to guide the mother in determining whether the breastfeeding process has been successfully carried out or not.
The fifth lecture reviewed how to maintain milk production, and methods of suction and storage of breastmilk to ensure it is kept in good condition. Advice was given on how to balance work and breastfeeding.
The workshop was concluded by an educational lecture about defining the benefits which employers will gain from breastfeeding, and the push to make public and private institutions take this move seriously and equip their premises with a special room for breastfeeding.
Dr. Hessa Khalfan al-Ghazal, Director of the Executive Committee of the Sharjah Baby-Friendly Emirate campaign commented on this workshop: "Our organization of this workshop stems from our belief in the need to work seriously to create an environment that supports breastfeeding in the society, and simultaneously preparing campaign ambassadors in the organizations as well as public places and nurseries."
Among the lecturers were Professor Khadija Al Mansouri, dietician and health education specialist; Salma Aaron, breastfeeding consultant; Dr. Rukaya Fikri, general medicine and breastfeeding consultant; and Mona Abdel Rahman, breastfeeding consultant. At the end of the workshop, certificates were distributed to the participants.
It is important to note that the Sharjah Baby-Friendly Emirate campaign was initiated under the patronage of Her Highness Sheikha Budoor bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Head of the campaign and Honorary President of the Breastfeeding Friends Association last March under the slogan "The right start for a better future". It is the first initiative of its kind in the Middle East and will extend over three years. The campaign includes four initiatives based on the establishment of healthy baby-friendly facilities, encouraging companies to be mother-friendly, as well as promoting a baby-friendly environment in public places, homes that nurture children and nurseries.
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