DOHA: Traditional practices and inadequate information are found to be among reasons for low rates of breastfeeding among Qatari women.
A study by Sidra Medical and Research Center, through its Community Relations and Development Department, has also identified lack of information and professional support for mothers after they leave hospitals.
The study found a gap between understanding the significance and benefits of breastfeeding and actual practice.
Many new and young mothers in focus groups indicated that they were greatly influenced by traditional practices which require feeding the newborn sugar water or anise water.
Moreover, the study found that young mothers are led to believe, through traditional practices, that drinking water negatively affects the body after childbirth.
Therefore, many new mothers do not consume healthy food that would allow for proper breastfeeding.
Many mothers discontinue breastfeeding after 40 days, or three months which reflects lack of information and access to professional lactation support.
Exclusive breastfeeding rate in Qatar, which is 12 percent according to Unicef figures from a 2005 study, is lower than the global rate of 37 percent and significantly lower than the target rate of 50 percent set by World Health Organisation.
Qatar’s National Health Strategy aims to address the issue and increase the percentage of infants exclusively breastfed for the first six months through an enhanced prenatal care system and guidance.
As one of the aims of this year’s World Breastfeeding Week is to draw attention to the importance of peer support for mothers to initiate and sustain breastfeeding, Sidra is hosting a series of events to educate, inform and engage medical professionals and Sidra employees.
To engage the medical community, Sidra will host the next event in the Sidra Symposia Series on September 11 with a focus on breastfeeding as a national initiative. Local and international speakers will address the event.
Sidra employees will have the opportunity to learn more about and show their support for breastfeeding at a lunchtime internal event this month.
Finally, as co-host of the Excellence in Paediatrics (EiP) 2013 conference at QNCC 4-7 in December, Sidra invites senior healthcare professionals and policymakers with an interest in breastfeeding and its effects on individuals, communities and countries to attended the conference.
The event will have multiple breastfeeding sessions for medical professionals at all levels.
The Global Breastfeeding Summit and the first meeting of Global Breastfeeding Network members will also take place on the sidelines of the conference.
WHO and Unicef recommend breastfeeding within one hour after birth, followed by exclusive breastfeeding (baby receives no other food or water) for the first six months.
According to WHO and Unicef, exclusive breastfeeding should be followed by complementary foods at the age of six months with continued breastfeeding for two years or longer.
Benefits of breastfeeding for mothers, babies and societies are researched and supported by international evidence.
According to studies endorsed by WHO/Unicef, the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine, benefits for babies include a decrease in respiratory illnesses, gastrointestinal illness, and ear infections.
Breastfeeding offers protection against Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), type 1 and 2 diabetes, obesity, elevated blood pressure and cholesterol levels, and certain types of cancer later in life.
Mothers benefit from breastfeeding as well.
Women who breastfeed have lower rates of breast and ovarian cancers, type 2 diabetes and post-birth depression.
As a speciality women’s and children’s hospital, Sidra will be a key partner in assisting Qatar in reaching the goals identified in the NHS.
Sidra Medical and Research Center, currently under construction in Doha, will be a groundbreaking hospital, research and education institution.
It will focus on the health and well-being of women and children regionally and globally.
Sidra will be a fully digital facility, incorporating the most advanced information technology applications in clinical, research and business functions.
The facility will initially have 400 beds with infrastructure to enable expansion to 550 beds in a subsequent phase.
The Peninsula
