Keeping abreast of better health for babies
Events to promote breastfeeding were launched in local maternity hospitals on Thursday, as part of this year’s World Breastfeeding Week.
The pure breastfeeding rate for babies below 6 months is 27.8 percent in China, which plans to improve the rate to 50 percent from 2020.
Worldwide, the breastfeeding rate is 41 percent for babies below 5 months old, according to medical experts from Shanghai No.1 Maternity and Infant Health Hospital.
The hospital put on a special education and drama play on Thursday morning to teach pregnant women how to breastfeed successfully and encourage fathers-to-be to take an active role.
“We offer breastfeeding guidance before, upon and after delivery,” said Zhao Minhui from the hospital who is also an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant, or IBCLC.
“Breast milk is the best food for newborn babies and can offer all necessary energy and nutrition to babies below 6 months. The World Health Organization suggests mothers offer breastfeeding until the child is 2 years old.”