Set up childcare centres in the workplace — Fatimah

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BREASTFEED YOUR BABIES: Fatimah (fourth right) leads women to proclaim “breastfeeding is
fashionable”. Dr Toh is on the right, Dr Ngian (third right) and Normaliza (fi fth right).

SIBU: Employers should set up childcare centres in their workplace to enable mothers to breastfeed their child after their maternity leave is over.

In making the call, Minister of Welfare, Women and Family Development Datuk Fatimah Abdullah said most working mothers were only entitled to three months of maternity leave, but breastfeeding should be sustained for six months.

Breastfeeding is important as it could facilitate healthy growth and development for mother and child, she pointed out.

“This is why we need the support from a wider circle, like employers, for instance.

“Breastfeeding is the best gift a mother could give to her child,” she said at a breastfeeding seminar held here yesterday in conjunction with World Breastfeeding Week 2013.

Also present were seminar coordinator Dr Toh Teck Hock, Sibu Hospital director Dr Ngian Hie Ung and Sibu Breastfeeding support group chairlady Dayang Normaliza Awang Tambi.

Fatimah said breastfeeding was not merely a “mothers’ issue” as husbands too could play an important role by rendering support.

That is why, she added, a similar seminar would be organised next year involving men.

In Malaysia, the rate of exclusive breastfeeding among infants aged six months has increased from 14.40 per cent in 2009 to 30. 50 per cent in 2012.

The rate for Sarawak is at 14.40 per cent as at 2012.

Fatimah said the government was aware of the importance of breastfeeding, and that was why it had set up 19 baby-friendly hospitals, 228 health clinics, and 27 breastfeeding mother support groups in the state.

The state Health Department has 2,943 personnel who are trained in breastfeeding management, and they work in hospitals and health clinics.

Fatimah also advised the community, especially women, to view breastfeeding as something “fashionable”.

In developed countries, she said, pregnant women are looked at as “beautiful”.

After the seminar, Fatimah visiting the Sibu Hospital’s maternity ward and presented 50 hampers to mothers.