(Union), (WAM)
Sheikha Bodour Al Qasimi, Honorary President of the Friends of Breastfeeding Association, stressed the importance of breastfeeding, which creates a unique relationship and an exceptional experience between the mother and her child, and turns into a special divine language and produces harmony and physical, mental and spiritual communication between them. The child is safe, thus ensuring safe communities. She said: “Here lies the great importance of encouraging the work carried out by various associations concerned with maternal and child rights, such as the Sharjah Breastfeeding Friends Association, which is making tremendous efforts to contribute to educating and supporting women during this precious period for every mother. These efforts are fully consistent with the message and objectives of the National Week. Breastfeeding is held annually in the country from 4 to 10 November of each year, which comes as an extension of a call launched by the World Health Organization this year to consider breastfeeding as a shared responsibility at all levels.
Sheikha Bodour Al Qasimi added: “We all agree that breastfeeding is essential to the health and well-being of children early in life and throughout their developmental journey, and is equally beneficial for mothers, as many studies have shown that breastfeeding reduces the risk of obesity, type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. And even some types of cancer, and this is another strong evidence that proves the importance of working to educate and promote breastfeeding because of its benefits, and we must do our best to support mothers during this important stage.”
She said: “Breastfeeding has established its unique position over many centuries, until various alternatives have recently emerged that posed a threat to that position, especially after the invention of formula milk for children and the accompanying studies supported by many beneficiary parties to maximize its benefits, in addition to the advertising campaigns that It specifically targets mothers with smart messages that attempt to link the use of formula milk to women’s empowerment and liberation, which represents a real threat to the health of future generations.”
She explained: “We are now aware more than ever of the need to build a healthy immune system and know the vital role of breast milk in promoting health. To do everything we can to strengthen our bodies.”
Sheikha Bodour Al Qasimi said: “With the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) confirming that it is unlikely that the Corona virus will be transmitted to children even if the mother is infected, is this not a miracle in itself? Simple precautions, such as washing hands and wearing a mask while breastfeeding, prove that the desired benefits greatly outweigh the possible minor risks, as a UNICEF spokesperson said recently that breast milk is the first vaccine that the child receives, as it contains all the essential nutrients and antibodies. hormones and antioxidants that help boost the immune system and provide protection against many types of infections.
She added: “Despite the many benefits of breastfeeding for infants and mothers, some women still face many obstacles that prevent them from adopting breastfeeding, especially when mothers find that they struggle to find the right time and place to perform this innate duty. Babies in workplaces, shopping centers and others, and considering this a top priority, there is no justification for mothers suffering in the exhausting search for a place to breastfeed their children or pumping milk from the breast in a place where they feel reassured and private.
Sheikha Bodour Al Qasimi said: “We in Sharjah strive hard to make the emirate child and family friendly, and we have put this goal at the top of our priorities in the field of human and human development, which forms one of the pillars of our comprehensive development strategy, as we have been working since 2012 to provide all the facilities that women need to breastfeed. Their babies are breastfed in health care centers and public places, such as workplaces, museums, restaurants and parks.This initiative has been accompanied by the campaign of the World Health Organization in this regard, and it is committed to supporting women before and after birth and Sharjah has also given priority to the training of health care workers and banned advertising We are proud of this global recognition and we are very pleased to announce that the number of women who breastfeed their babies has tripled in 6 months In 5 years, that’s the real impact.”
She expressed her pride in the work she is doing in Sharjah to support breastfeeding and hopes that it will set an example in this field locally and globally. We take full responsibility for our nation’s healthy future and we must all support women in the early years of the child-rearing journey because it is in the interest of society as a whole.Although having children is a blessing that fills every woman with contentment and happiness, it is also a very difficult period for them and requires everyone Including governments and the private sector to work to ensure that breastfeeding is an easy and enjoyable experience for mothers.”
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