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Dubai, United Arab Emirates, August 25, 2015: The neonatal unit of Dubai Hospital recently held a breastfeeding awareness campaign.
The aim of the campaign was to educate new mothers about the advantages of breastfeeding for the baby and the mother.
The campaign was inaugurated by Dr Fathiya Al Awadi, head of Endocrine Unit at Dubai Hospital and included lectures and discussions. DHA staff members also distributed educational material about breastfeeding.
Several physicians, nurses, midwives and parents participated in this campaign.
Dr Anwar Khan, head of neonatology and chairperson of the breastfeeding promotion committee at Dubai Hospital, said: “Evidence proves that breast-milk has a unique and unequalled way of infant nutrition. Its composition even changes according to the infant's needs. Breastfed babies are always healthy and have lesser chances of infections like diarrhoea and phenomena. They are also less prone to developing chronic diseases like asthma and diabetes.”
“Breastfeeding has several health benefits for the mother. It helps promote weight loss, reduces the chances of ovarian and breast cancer and osteoporosis in later life.”
Dr Khalid Iqbal, lactation consultant and neonatologist at Dubai Hospital
explained that majority of the mothers complain of insufficient milk but in most cases it is only a perception rather than real deficiency. Lack of confidence, difficulty in latching and starting formula without consulting a lactation consultant are some of the for lactation failure.”
He added that all mothers need counselling and support after delivery to establish successful breastfeeding and this can be accomplished in a baby-friendly hospital.
Dubai Hospital is a baby-friendly hospital that educates mother right from the time they are pregnant about the benefits of breastfeeding.
According to Dubai Hospital's statistics, in 2014, of the total number of women who delivered babies at Dubai hospital, 91.8 per opted for exclusive breastfeeding, 8.10 opted for mixed feeding due to medial reasons and less than one per cent of women opted for mixed feeding for non-medical reasons.
Dubai hospital offers a breastfeeding helpline. Mothers facing breastfeeding difficulties can call 04-5026169 between 7:30 am to 2:30 pm to directly speak to a lactation consultant.
Alternatively, mothers can call Dubai hospital's breastfeeding support helpline from 10 am to 10 pm. Arabic helpline: 050-6579525. English helpline: 050-8684417
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