Health: Hospital breastfeeding campaign big success – Gulf Digital News

Health: Hospital breastfeeding campaign big success – Gulf Digital News

A PUBLIC hospital in Bahrain has made a significant contribution to a national health goal by encouraging more than half of its new mothers to breastfeed exclusively for six months this year.

As of June 2022, 53 per cent of women who gave birth at King Hamad University Hospital (KHUH) had met the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) target of increasing exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) among infants younger than six months to 50pc by 2025.

“We are pleased that KHUH as a hospital has exceeded the WHO target with 53.7pc women – new mothers sticking to EBF for six months – a valuable addition to the kingdom’s breastfeeding goal,” KHUH Neonatology Consultant Dr Minoosh Mahmood Nasef told the GDN.

“According to KHUH statistics, breastfeeding rates among our new mothers are on the rise and are expected to continue.”

EBF is defined as ‘an infant receiving only breast milk, with no other liquids or solids – not even water, with the exception of oral rehydration solution, or drops/syrups of vitamins, minerals, or medicines.’

Studies have proven that breastfeeding is best. It can help protect babies against some short and long-term illnesses and diseases. Breastfed babies have a lower risk of asthma, obesity, Type 1 diabetes and sudden infant