21% Of Mothers In The UAE Opting For Artificial Milk Instead Of Breastfeeding

Sharjah Baby-Friendly Emirate Campaign seeks to reverse the trend of non-breastfeeding mothers

Recently-conducted research has revealed that 21% of mothers in the UAE are choosing to give their babies artificial milk formula rather than breast milk. This gives added urgency to the activities of the Sharjah Baby-Friendly Emirate Campaign, which recently held a workshop entitled “Principles of Breastfeeding-Friendly Nurseries.”

The non-breastfeeding rate of 21% indicates that more than one in five mothers in the UAE prefers to feed their baby artificial milk instead of breast milk. This translates into thousands of babies within the emirate, and millions more beyond its borders. To help overturn this trend, the Sharjah Baby-Friendly Emirate Campaign has been tirelessly approaching nurseries, public and private organizations to create an environment that is conducive to breastfeeding.

The workshop “Principles of Breastfeeding-Friendly Nurseries” is the latest in a long line of such activities. It was targeted at supervisors and staff members of nurseries around the emirate. Campaign organizers gave valuable advice and disseminated educational material that will go a long way in raising awareness on the plentiful benefits of breastfeeding.

Currently, efforts are in full swing to give the Breastfeeding-Friendly Nurseries initiative the momentum it deserves. Campaign organizers have acknowledged the vital role played by institutions in cultivating an atmosphere that is both mother-friendly and baby-friendly. Therefore organizers have been energetically pursuing the buy-in and support of such institutions, predominantly nurseries.

The workshop was headed by Ms Rasmiya Al Shamsi, Determinant of the Executive Committee and President of the "Baby and Mother-Friendly Nurseries” committee, as well as Ms Mona Abdulrahman - an international breastfeeding consultant and Training Coordinator of the campaign. They shed more light on the unforeseen side effects and repercussions of milk substitutes, particularly given the aggressive advertising of such products on TV, radio and other media platforms. The breastfeeding professionals gave tips on the most convenient ways to breastfeed, in a time-efficient manner.

Dr Hessa Khalfan Al Ghazal, Director of the Executive Committee of the Sharjah Baby-Friendly Emirate Campaign, commented: “This workshop stems from our belief in the need to help nursery supervisors overcome their obstacles in relation to breastfeeding. We were also keen to showcase the importance of breastfeeding and its crucial role in the reduction of common diseases and disorders in our modern society.”

The workshop team went on to share tips on the best ways in which mothers can get in sync with their babies’ natural breastfeeding rhythms. They also discussed how to maintain milk production at an optimum level, suction methods and how to store the breast milk in prime condition.

However, the campaign representatives were quick to point out that breast milk can be supplemented with foods, as part of a balanced nutrition program - provided the babies are older than six months. Although the workshop was primarily designed to discuss breast-feeding, the participants also devoted some time to discuss how best to artificial milk in a healthy way.

Representatives of the Sharjah Baby-Friendly Emirate Campaign emphasized that the input of public and private institutions is vital, and nurseries in particular play a pivotal role - since babies spend a large chunk of their day with nurseries as their temporary guardians. At the end of the workshop, certificates were awarded to the attendees, as a token of appreciation for their participation.

The Sharjah Baby-Friendly Emirate campaign was initiated under the generous patronage of Her Highness Sheikha Budoor bint Sultan Al Qassimi, Chairperson of the Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq), President of the Campaign and Honorary President of the Breastfeeding Friends Association. It was launched last March under the slogan "The right start for a better future”.

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