The artificial feeding of newborns is not as beneficial as breastfeeding. The mother’s milk is like a first vaccine that protects the child against all infections. Such messages were disseminated in a public lesson given by specialist doctors in Orhei on August 2. The lesson was attended by almost 50 mothers and pregnant women from the town.

Ala Curteanu, president of the Association for Women and Children “Nova”, has told IPN that the event was staged within the World Breastfeeding Week that is taking place during August 1-7. “Regrettably, the breastfeeding rate during the past few years has decreased. According to the last study conducted in 2012, only 36% of the newborns were fed exclusively on breast milk up to the age of the age of six months,” she stated.

According to the expert, the figure shows that more mothers switch swiftly over from breastfeeding to artificial feeding and this is not good. “We went to inform these mothers and pregnant women about the fact that the firms that promote powdered milk pursue commercial goals and do not think to protect the interests of the future generations,” said Ala Curteanu.

The president of “Nova” noted that up to the age of six months the babies should be fed exclusively on breast milk. After the first six months, supplements can be introduced, but breastfeeding should be continued at least up to the age of one year and a half. “Breast milk contains all the components needed by a child to grow, all the protection elements. The breastfed children are much healthier and develop better,” she concluded.

The goal of the activities staged within the World Breastfeeding Week is to encourage breastfeeding and improve the health of babies all over the world as a key factor for ensuring the population’s health throughout life.