A study by Sidra Medical and Research Center identified lack of information and Traditional practices are the reasons for low rates of breastfeeding among Qatari women.
Many young mothers were greatly influenced by traditional practices which require feeding the newborn sugar water or anise water. The study also found that young mothers are led to believe that drinking water negatively affects the body after childbirth and they do not consume healthy food that would allow for proper breastfeeding.
Many mothers stop breastfeeding after 40 days, or three months which reflects lack of information and professional support.
According to Unicef figures from a 2005 study, breastfeeding rate in Qatar is 12 percent, which is lower than the global rate of 37 percent. The target rate set by World Health Organisation is 50 percent. Qatar’s National Health Strategy aims to address this issue.
Sidra is hosting a series of events as part of this year’s World Breastfeeding Week to educate, inform and engage medical professionals and Sidra employees. Sidra will host the next event in the Sidra Symposia Series on September 11 with a focus on breastfeeding as a national initiative.
As co-host of the Excellence in Paediatrics (EiP) 2013 conference at QNCC 4-7 in December, Sidra invites senior healthcare professionals and policymakers with an interest in breastfeeding and its effects on individuals, communities and countries to attend the conference.
WHO and Unicef recommend breastfeeding within one hour after birth, followed by exclusive breastfeeding with no other food or water for the first six months. Exclusive breastfeeding should be followed by complementary foods at the age of six months with continued breastfeeding for two years or longer, according to WHO and Unicef.
Benefits of breastfeeding for babies include a decrease in respiratory illnesses, gastrointestinal illness, and ear infections. Women who breastfeed have lower rates of breast and ovarian cancers, type 2 diabetes and post-birth depression, according to studies.
Source:
Qatar Chronicle
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