‘Breastfeeding rate in Sarawak still below national target’
SIBU: The breastfeeding rate in the state, which was at about 30 per cent last year, is still behind the national target of 50 per cent.
According to Sibu Hospital paediatrician Dr Toh Teck Hock, this can be translated to a situation where from every 100 women, only about 30 of them actually breastfeed their babies exclusively for six months.
“This is really below (the national target) and we hope that at least 50 per cent of mothers (in the state) will be breastfeeding exclusively. In fact, in many well established countries, the figure is between 60 and 70 per cent – some even go as high as 80 per cent.
“That is why we are still quite behind and really need to catch up,” Dr Toh told reporters during a press conference on promoting breastfeeding here yesterday.
Sibu Hospital director Dr Ngian Hie Ung chaired the press conference, which was also attended by Sibu Breastfeeding Women Support Group head Dayang Normaliza Awang Tambi.
Dr Toh also said towards the end of last year, the owner of Star Mega Mall here set up a
This is really below (the national target) and we hope that at least 50 per cent of mothers (in the state) will be breastfeeding exclusively. In fact, in many well established countries, the figure is between 60 and 70 per cent – some even go as high as 80 per cent. Dr Toh Teck Hock, Sibu Hospital paediatrician
dedicated breastfeeding room for the convenience of mothers to breastfeed their infants while shopping – a step in the right direction.
Meanwhile, Dr Ngian said it was the World Health Organisation (WHO) and national recommendation for all mothers to breastfeed their babies exclusively for six months and thereafter, to continue until the child reached the age of two years.
She added that supplementary diet should be introduced when the baby was six months old.
Here, Dr Ngian observed that the practice of exclusive breastfeeding was still not popular.
“We hope that this year, more mothers would involve themselves with breastfeeding to raise the level of awareness of breastfeeding in Sibu,” she pointed out, stressing on the importance of helping the public understand breastfeeding better in terms of knowledge and practices.
Turning to Sibu Breastfeeding Women Support Group, she said its members shared experience about breastfeeding with one another via chat group.
Spearheaded by the support group, the free two-weekly health talks in Mandarin on supporting women and mothers on breastfeeding will take place at the Agape Centre – held with support from health professionals from Sibu Hospital, Sibu Divisional Health Office, KPJ Sibu Medical Specialist Centre and Rejang Medical Centre.
Dr Ngian also said Sibu Hospital would continue to work with all mother- child health clinics in training and educating women – both pregnant and those undergoing post-natal stage – to ensure a successful breastfeeding experience for them.