(CNS): As part of this year’s Breastfeeding Awareness Week, health officials are encouraging local employers to help support the feeding mums on their staff by providing appropriate environments in which women can feed their babies in the workplace. Experts say the road to successful breast feeding for mothers comes with support from those around them, including their employers. With the many benefits and importance of breast feeding recognized the world over, the World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action will be marking the 21st anniversary of the annual campaign to focus global action on protecting, promoting and supporting breastfeeding on peer support and peer counselling.
Support, experts say, comes from many people and places, but particularly important for mothers today is support from their bosses and colleagues. Peer support was first introduced at the WABA Global Breastfeeding Partners Meeting in 2010 but the concept has been around for much longer.
“Fifty-six years ago, seven breastfeeding mothers realised that their abilities to breastfeed their own infants, came from being provided with information, education and emotional support from each other,” WBW Global Coordinator Anne Batterjee said. “They believed that so many other mothers who longed to breastfeed could be enabled to do so, if only those around them, their peers, had the knowledge and skills to be supportive.”
The week begins on 1 August and in the Cayman Islands the focus will be on encouraging employers to create breastfeeding friendly environments for mothers in the workplace.The Health Services Authority’s (HSA’s) Nutritionist Simone Sheehan notes that staff at the Cayman Islands Hospital supports the message of early and exclusive breastfeeding with the introduction of appropriate complimentary feeding at around six months of age.
“We are consistently stepping up our efforts in relaying this message to mothers of new born infants,” she said, adding that while breastfeeding is a learned behaviour, the journey to practising it successfully begins with the support of families, healthcare providers, employers, and, by and large, the community.
This year’s theme is based on what is known as the five Circles of Support for Mothers and Children. These “circles” reflect potential factors that influence whether breastfeeding mothers have a positive breastfeeding experience. They are formally categorised as: Family and Social Network, Healthcare, Workplace and Employment, Government/ Legislation and Response to Crisis or Emergency.
Officials said that the Cayman Islands has many resources to support breastfeeding families. Each new mother is given an information packet which includes helpful tips and resources. They also receive a contact list of group members whom they are encouraged to call with questions or concerns. These volunteers are experienced mothers or health care professionals. Anyone needing support can contact 244-2648.
Expectant mothers are also sensitized about breast feeding and its importance to both mother and baby, as well as other issues relating to pregnancy and lactation, through Parent craft classes held at the Cayman Islands Hospital, every Monday at 5:30 pm.
During WBW celebrations, a breast feeding cafe is being organised for mothers and their babies to facilitate mutual support and peer counselling. This will be held at the Women’s Health Courtyard, Cayman Island Hospital on 2 August from 10am-11am. The Cayman Islands breast feeding support group and the Women’s Health Centre invite pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers to join in the celebration of this event.
