The Hospital Authority (HA) has urged community support for breastfeeding mothers as World Breastfeeding Awareness Week commenced on Thursday.
Leung Wing-cheong, a consultant obstetrician at Kwong Wah Hospital, announced that the HA has introduced several initiatives to promote breastfeeding. These include lactation consultant clinics designed to address mothers’ concerns.
Leung mentioned that additional support measures consist of antenatal education programs and a dedicated helpline to assist women facing breastfeeding challenges.
A significant development, according to Leung, will be the establishment of a breast milk bank, expected to become operational in the first quarter of next year. This bank aims to collect 1,000 liters of breast milk annually, benefiting up to 600 premature babies.
Leung emphasized that breast milk is the most natural food for babies. He highlighted the long-term benefits of breastfeeding, such as reducing the risk of obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular problems in babies, as well as promoting neurological development in infants. Breastfeeding also aids recovery after pregnancy and lowers the risk of breast cancer in mothers.
He stressed the importance of collective effort in successful breastfeeding.
“It is ideal if mothers receive enough support from their partner, husband, in-laws, parents, etc. Successful breastfeeding is indeed teamwork, not just the responsibility of the mother alone,” he said.
