Giving your baby the best start in life
Breastfeeding helps strengthen the bond between mother and baby. Photos: Shutterstock
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Ideally, breastfeeding should come naturally to both mother and baby. However, the reality is that it is not always easy.
Without the right support and adequate preparation, it is not uncommon for new mothers to face breastfeeding problems such as low milk supply, sore nipples and engorgement issues.
Add sleep deprivation and exhaustion from caring for a newborn into the mix and a mother’s best intentions to provide her baby with the optimal nutrition from birth can well be sabotaged.
Breast milk is the ideal food for babies from birth. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that mothers breastfeed their babies exclusively in the first six months, and continue for up to two years of age or longer after solids are introduced at six months of age.
Besides enhancing mother-child bonding, breastfeeding helps infants fend off infections better, as well as decreases their risks of allergies and diabetes in the longer term. For mothers, it lowers the chances of osteoporosis, breast cancer and ovarian cancer.
When it comes to breastfeeding successfully and for longer periods of time, half the battle is won when parents are prepared and have adequate support. This is because many breastfeeding issues can be preventable.
“New parents need to be prepared for their breastfeeding journey. Everyone knows the importance of breastfeeding but may not understand how to do it and what to do,” said Ms Yasa Yong, senior lactation consultant at Mount Elizabeth Novena Hospital.
THE RIGHT ACCREDITATION
Studies show that professional support in maternity hospitals makes a difference in breastfeeding outcomes.
Choosing a maternity hospital with the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI) accreditation could be the first step to successful breastfeeding.
The BFHI was launched in 1991 by the WHO and UNICEF to encourage hospitals providing maternity and newborn services to implement the Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding, a proven approach to support breastfeeding in maternity settings, among other baby-friendly practices.
According to WHO, a systematic review of 58 studies published in 2016 on maternity and newborn care shows that adhering to the 10 steps impacts mothers’ early initiation of breastfeeding after birth, exclusive breastfeeding and total duration of breastfeeding.
Mount Elizabeth Hospitals at Novena and Orchard have both attained the BFHI accreditation.
WHAT TO EXPECT AT A BABY-FRIENDLY HOSPITAL
A BFHI-accredited hospital advocates baby-friendly practices and has measures in place to help new mothers and babies bond better and start off on the right track for their breastfeeding journey.
For instance, it facilitates immediate and uninterrupted skin-to-skin contact between the mother and baby to initiate breastfeeding as soon as possible after birth. A conducive rooming-in environment also encourages mothers to bond with their babies.
“There are numerous benefits for nursing mothers to room-in with their babies. For mothers, it helps them identify feeding cues earlier and become more confident in caring for their baby. Babies breastfeed sooner and for longer and feel secure as they are comforted by familiar voices, touch and smiles,” explained Ms Yong.
A BFHI-accredited hospital also has a team of trained nurses and lactation consultants to care for new mothers and provide practical support on newborn feeding and care needs.
“We give mothers practical breastfeeding tips and help mothers to check on their breastfeeding position as well as on latching. We also clarify any doubts on the spot,” said Ms Tang Cheng Yi, senior staff nurse at the maternity ward at Mount Elizabeth Hospital.
In addition, outpatient support is provided to new mothers. Upon discharge from the hospital, mothers are given a support hotline number to call the lactation consultants and a booklet to guide them.
Mdm Jana Ang, 38, who delivered a baby girl at Mount Elizabeth Novena Hospital last year, was one of many mothers who welcomed the hospital’s baby-friendly practices and support provided.
The first-time mother, who works as a finance controller, shared that her rooming-in experience was a positive one and she enjoyed the immediate connection and bonding with her baby.
“The nurses and lactation consultants gave me great comfort and ease. They were very friendly, knowledgeable and most importantly, always available to support me. The tips and guidance on better breastfeeding and baby care helped me a lot when I went home,” Mdm Ang said.
Find out more about the maternity services at Mount Elizabeth Hospital and at Mount Elizabeth Novena Hospital.
