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HAAD: Breastfeeding Benefits the Mother and her Child and Helps to Protect Them from Many Diseases
26 Mar, 2016: Abu Dhabi – March 27, 2016: The Health Authority – Abu Dhabi (HAAD), the regulator of the healthcare sector in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi encourages mothers to breastfeed due to the benefits this practice entails for both mother and baby. HAAD is also emphasising the direct correlation between breastfeeding and the prevention of a number of diseases in children and mothers.
Among many other benefits, breastfeeding helps boost the baby’s immune system and protects the child from allergies and illnesses, in addition to other chronic conditions such as diabetes, later in life. According to a systematic review on an “International Journal of Obesity and Related Metabolic Disorders”, the risk of being obese is 22% lower among children who are breastfed. Breastfeeding is also largely beneficial to the mother’s overall health. Women who breastfeed are at a lower risk of developing breast and ovarian cancer, as well as osteoporosis. Furthermore, breastfeeding improves mother-child bonding and helps mothers burn more calories and lose weight.
Dr Omniyat Al Hajeri, Director of Public Health and Researches at HAAD said: “The ‘Enaya’ breastfeeding campaign is one of HAAD’s key initiatives to improve community health and wellness, and raise health awareness in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. More specifically, the campaign is targeting mothers and pregnant women to educate them on the importance of breastfeeding as the best start to life and as the best form of nutrition for babies.”
Al Hajeri also added: “Based on HAAD statistics, 37% of mothers were are able to continue exclusive breastfeeding for up to six months, in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. In line with the World Health Organisation’s guidelines, HAAD looks to increase this percentage up to 50% by the year 2025.”
HAAD is keen to provide mothers with the necessary support and advice on keeping up with breastfeeding their babies and sustaining a healthy work-life balance once they resume their work. For more information on the benefits of breastfeeding and facts about breastfeeding, please visit http://www.haad.ae/enaya/bfeed.htm The HAAD Enaya program was launched in 2013 with an aim to increase community and parental awareness on maternal and child health, beginning with pre-conception visits and adequate folic acid intake, to healthy nutrition and the importance of exercise during pregnancy. In addition, the program addresses the importance of breastfeeding, new-born screening tests and vaccinations schedule, preconception and antenatal care, as well as child visits.