UNICEF encourages mothers to breastfeed their babies

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) urges mothers to breastfeed their infants up to the age of two, and feed them only with breast milk during the first six weeks of life. The action forms part of the World Breastfeeding Day observed on August 1-7, Info-Prim Neo reports. Doctors say breastfeeding is a key tool in improving child survival as it reduces the risks of malnutrition, anemia, growth retardation and low weight among children younger than two. “Breast milk helps prevent infections and respiratory diseases, strengthens the immunity system and diminishes the risk of severe chronic diseases such as sugar diabetes, obesity, diseases of the digestive apparatus, etc.,” the Ministry of Health says in a communiqué. Other baby food can damage the digestive system, causing micro-injuries of the mucous membrane of the digestive tract and increasing the risk of getting intestinal diseases. “The working mothers are allowed by law to have a special working program, which includes hours for breastfeeding,” it is said in a communiqué issued by UNICEF. The World Breastfeeding Day is celebrated in more than 120 countries around the globe. In Moldova, it is organized by the Ministry of Health in partnership with the UNICEF. It is aimed at informing new mothers and pregnant women about the benefits of breastfeeding. According to a demographic study carried out by UNICEF in 2005, less than a half of the newborns in Moldova are fed with only breast milk during the first six weeks of life. 45% of the children older than one year continue to be breastfed.