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Conference
highlights way foward for breastfeeding
The latest statistics
show that the number of women breastfeeding in Northern Ireland
over the past decade has increased by 50%; however much more
work needs to be done to promote the benefits of breastfeeding.
The importance
of giving babies the best nutritional start in life was stressed
today at the first Regional Conference on Breastfeeding at
the Culloden Hotel attended by more than 200 health professionals
including midwives, health visitors, dietitians and representatives
of voluntary breastfeeding support groups. Organised by the
Health Promotion Agency in association with the Breastfeeding
Strategy Implementation Group the conference emphasised
the significance of support for mums wanting to feed their
babies the natural way.
During the conference
Janet Calvert, Regional Breastfeeding Coordinator*,
said: "While great strides have been made to encourage and
support breastfeeding there is still much more work to be
done. The
breastfeeding strategy provides clear guidance for improving
breastfeeding rates and ultimately providing the best possible
chance of success for mothers. The way forward will be to
improve breastfeeding education for health professionals and
to target mothers least likely to breastfeed; in particular
young mums and those from lower income backgrounds."
Research shows
that breastfeeding mums are at a lower risk of pre-menopausal
breast cancer, ovarian cancer and osteoporosis while for babies
breastfeeding brings health benefits including reduction in
illnesses, such as chest, urinary and ear infections and means
they are less likely to develop juvenile obesity and diabetes
in childhood.
Janet continued:
"While the health benefits for mother and baby are well known
still fewer women in Northern Ireland choose to breastfeed
than in the rest of the UK. The challenge will be to find
appealing ways to get this message across and to ensure that
when a mum chooses to breastfeed she will receive positive
support from knowledgeable health professionals."
Dr Miriam McCarthy,
Chair of the Breastfeeding Strategy Implementation Group,
said: "There is no doubt that breastfeeding provides health
benefits for both mother and baby. We would like to see more
women encouraged and supported to breastfeed."
The conference
also highlights National Breastfeeding Week starting on Sunday
12 May 2002. The theme for this year is, Mother's milk
the perfect take away, and aims to raise awareness of
the health benefits of breastfeeding, encourage social acceptance
of breastfeeding and support mothers who are breastfeeding
their babies.
END
Notes
to the editor: Figures
taken from the Infant
Feeding Survey 2000 conducted by the Northern Ireland
Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA).
*Janet
Calvert's PowerPoint presentation is available Here
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