ABU DHABI // New Emirati mothers are encouraged to breastfeed for longer so children are healthier, after a study in the capital found less than half were doing so six months after their baby was born.
Data was collected at Corniche Hospital from 125 mothers at the time of their child’s birth, and then at 3, 6 and 15 months by using questionnaires and interviews. The number of those breastfeeding fell to 94 at three months, 58 at six months and 52 at 15 months.
The findings were published this month in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health.
Dr Katherine Green, from Dubai’s International Horizons College, conducted the research and said that mothers who worked were seven times more likely to supplement their child’s milk, but the primary reason was insufficient production of breast milk.
“This was far higher than the other reasons, such as feeding difficulties, subsequent pregnancy, poor infant weight gain or even mothers returning to work,” Dr Green said.
“Insufficient milk is a cyclical problem because mothers may worry about the infant not getting enough milk and so they supplement with artificial feeds.
“Sadly, supplementation then negatively impacts the milk supply because the infant is not suckling, so it’s a vicious circle.
“Increased education is needed to explain how important it is to keep the baby nursing in order to increase milk supply.”
Experts recommend feeding as soon as possible to encourage full maternal milk production but many of the babies were not breastfed until several hours after birth.
Six months into the study and all of the infants had been introduced to some degree of complementary foods, which is thought to increase the risk of developing an allergy.
In the study 38 per cent of the infants had been fed milk other than breast milk or formula by the age of six months, 66 per cent had consumed yogurt and 31 per cent eggs.
A Dubai Health Authority campaign last month involved several physicians, nurses, midwives and parents to help highlight the importance of breastfeeding.
Dr Anwar Khan, head of neonatology and chairman of the breastfeeding promotion committee at Dubai Hospital, said: “Evidence proves that breastmilk has a unique and unequalled way of infant nutrition.
“Its composition even changes according to the infant’s needs. Breastfed babies are always healthy and have lesser chances of infections like diarrhoea.
“They are also less prone to developing chronic diseases like asthma and diabetes.”
Breastfeeding also has several health benefits for the mother, by promoting weight loss, reducing the chances of ovarian and breast cancer and osteoporosis risk in later life.
The Ministry of Health recommended infants should be exclusively breastfed until six months as it is known to improve health outcomes as far on as adulthood.
At Dubai Hospital, figures from research in 2014 show 91.8 per cent of all new mothers chose to exclusively breastfeed, although statistics were not available to show how long this continued for.
Unicef recommended that infants should not be fed food or drinks other than breast milk in the neonatal (newborn) period, unless told to by a doctor.
Last year, the Federal National Council proposed a clause in the child rights law to make breastfeeding mandatory for the first two years of an infant’s life, though it was criticised for being too rigid.
Awareness campaigns and support for mothers is being made available across the UAE to encourage Emirati women to breastfeed exclusively for longer.
Dr Khalid Iqbal, lactation consultant and neonatologist at Dubai Hospital, said the majority of mothers complain of insufficient milk but, in most cases, it is only a perception rather than real deficiency.
“There is sometimes a lack of confidence, difficulty in latching and starting formula without consulting a lactation consultant are some of the reasons for lactation failure,” he said.
“All mothers need counselling and support after delivery to establish successful breastfeeding.”
Dubai Hospital offers a breastfeeding helpline. Mothers facing difficulties can call 04 502 6169 between 7.30am and 2.30pm to directly speak to a lactation consultant.
nwebster@thenational.ae
