World Breastfeeding Week 2018: "Breastfeeding is a solid foundation of life"

World Breastfeeding Week

By Project EMBRACE
Sandan District, Kampong Thom Province
August 20, 2018

On August 20, 2018, members of ADRA Cambodia’s EMBRACE team celebrated World Breastfeeding Week 2018 on the theme of "Breastfeeding is a solid foundation of life and the yearly slogan are Breast milk is an invaluable magic medicine for preventing children from various diseases and breast milk, helping to develop the most intelligent baby brain." in Ngon commune, Sandan district, Kampong Thom province. They highlighted the best result from breastfeeding of mother to communities and key beneficiaries that EMBRACE project is targeting. The session was held in cooperation with the Provincial Health Department, Operational District and the local authorities in Sandan district with total of 250 participants (195 females) come from around Ngon commune Sandan district. Kampong Thom province.

Key Objectives:

1.   Mothers need to start breastfeeding their babies within 1 hour of first delivering, which will be useful first.

2.   Provide single mother's milk to child during the first 6 months of life.

3.   Continue to breastfeed until at least 2 years of age and provide proper supplementation.

We were able to broadcast live on air via our project Radio program that was live at 10am to 11 am from the Kampong Thom Radio FM105.3 MHz in which we open questions for participants to ask guest speakers and chat related to the event. And the special speakers are PHD, OD and HCs chief and midwives from Sandan district.

Mr. Ken Chamroeun, Senior Assistant Project Manager of the Sandan EMBRACE Project, said the program was designed to raise awareness among the community about breastfeeding and mother's milk only to their baby. He also added that breastfeeding immediately during the first hours after giving birth and can prevent 20% of babies' deaths. Only children who have been breastfed for the first 6 months can reduce diarrhea 11 times and pneumonia 15 times as much as children who have not been breastfed. Long-term breastfeeding is linked to advanced intelligence, good academic performance, and high earning outcomes.  He encouraged mothers to apply the messages from this event to provide better life for all human.

Ms. Sim Sidarath, deputy governor of Sandan District, said that according to the Demographic and Health Survey 2014, the results show that in Cambodia, the complete breastfeeding practice of exclusively breastfeeding was decreased from 73.5% in 2010 to 64.6% in 2014. Breast milk initiation in the first hours after giving birth and continuing breastfeeding to 12 months was found to decrease from 65.3% to 62.6% and to fall down from 83% to 80%. Additionally, predetermined pre-supplemental feeding has increased markedly in both downtown and rural areas between 2010 and 2014. Mrs. Deputy Governor added that seeing these drop rates are the most urgent task to improve the performance of single breast milk throughout the country. At the same time, there were several reasons for the drop in breastfeeding rates, such as: migration, lack of knowledge about breastfeeding, mother culture, cultural traditions, and lack of support from Family members.

Dr. Keo Dary, deputy director of the Kampong Thom Operation District Office, said that people in Ngon commune were lucky enough as we chose the location for the 2018 World Breastfeeding Week because within the area covered by the Kompong Thom Operational District Office, there are only two sites that will be in service. He also pointed out the importance of breast milk for the baby:

1) Breast milk is the first birth control vaccine for infants because the first milk contains antibodies against viruses and the white blood cells more than normal milk.
2) The first mother's milk helps keep the baby's intestines strong because they are rich in nutrients that can help prevent other allergic reactions.
3) Mother's milk is rich in herbs that help reduce the number of infections that can develop in babies.
4) Initial baby milk is small, but it can really respond to baby needs.

In the end, the doctor advised the mother to continue to implement the recommendations and continue to disseminate information to neighbors for understanding and reducing the risk of infant death.

Project EMBRACE (Enhancing Mother/Newborn/Child Health in Remote Areas through Health Care and Community Engagement), is being implemented by ADRA Cambodia.  It is primarily funded by Canada’s International Development – Global Affairs Canada department with support from ADRA Canada’s generous donors.