Promote breastfeeding practices

Therefore, health facilities play an important role in promoting breastfeeding practices, contributing to improving children's health right from the first days of birth.

The World Health Organization (WHO) and the Ministry of Health recommend that children should be breastfed within 1 hour after birth, exclusively breastfed for the first 6 months and continued until 24 months of age or longer. Although social awareness of the benefits of breast milk is increasing, many mothers want to breastfeed their children exclusively, but not all mothers are successful. The reasons come from many sides: mothers who have had a cesarean section cannot breastfeed immediately, are psychologically tired after giving birth, breast milk has not come in in time, lack of specific instructions from medical staff or simply lack of confidence...

Medical staff guide and support mothers in practicing breastfeeding. Photo: Quang Nhat

Ms. Nguyen Thi Huong (residing in Ea Drong commune) felt quite confused when she became a mother for the first time. Ms. Huong said: “I was instructed by doctors and nurses on how to hold the baby when breastfeeding, not to give the baby formula but to breastfeed the baby exclusively. However, because the baby was born with little milk, and the baby was hungry and cried too much, the family had to mix formula for her to drink.” Ms. Huong’s case is not an isolated one. Although medical staff advised on the benefits of breast milk and encouraged and promoted exclusive breastfeeding, practicing it correctly and effectively is still a challenge at many medical facilities.

In recent times, the Central Highlands General Hospital has focused on implementing measures to improve the rate of breastfeeding practice. On average, the Obstetrics Department welcomes about 20-30 babies born by normal delivery and cesarean section every day. Essential care is provided to all babies born at the hospital. Immediately after birth, babies are placed skin-to-skin with their mothers for at least 90 minutes, which is the golden period to stimulate early breastfeeding reflexes. When babies are breastfed early after birth, colostrum will help them fight infections, stabilize body temperature, respiration, bond emotionally and responsibilities between mother and child, and take advantage of the best source of nutrition with antibodies for babies in the first days of life.

Dr. Tran Ngoc Thuy (Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tay Nguyen General Hospital) said: Breastfeeding brings many benefits in taking care of the health of mothers and children. Therefore, all mothers who give birth by cesarean section and normal delivery at the hospital are advised to exclusively breastfeed their babies. All babies after birth are placed on their mother's belly and breastfed for the first 30 minutes in the delivery room and in the operating room. After returning to the room, medical staff will advise and support mothers and their families on how to breastfeed their babies directly. Most mothers, after being supported, have practiced breastfeeding correctly.

Ms. Ho Thi Hong Hanh (residing in Ea Khal commune) shared: “I was carefully instructed by the doctors and nurses on how to hold the baby, how to let the baby latch on to the breast so that the baby can drink as much milk as possible. The doctor also gave specific advice on the benefits of breastfeeding, and the mother's nutrition to ensure the baby's milk supply. Thanks to that, I feel more secure and practice raising my child better.”

Not only providing direct guidance to mothers on breastfeeding practices, medical facilities also focus on communicating to mothers and their families through leaflets, billboards, posters or consulting when doctors and nurses examine mothers and babies every day about the benefits of breastfeeding. Thanks to these synchronous solutions, the rate of babies being breastfed early within the first hour after birth is over 90%. Many mothers have thus maintained exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months and continued to 24 months and beyond. Efforts in breastfeeding practices at medical facilities have contributed to improving the quality of health care for mothers and children.

Source: https://baodaklak.vn/xa-hoi/202508/thuc-day-thuc-hanh-nuoi-con-bang-sua-me-a291d31/