HONG KONG (1 August 2009) – UNICEF Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative Hong Kong Association (BFHIHKA) reported an encouraging 4.9% rise in the breastfeeding rate on discharge from hospitals with maternity units in Hong Kong to 73.9% for births in 2008 through her annual World Breastfeeding Week survey. The same survey found that only 4% of obstetric doctors and 11% of paediatric doctors have received formal training on breastfeeding as prescribed by the World Health Organization (WHO). The corresponding figures for obstetric and paediatric nurses were 73% and 42%. The exclusive breastfeeding rate dropped to 12.1% in 4 to 6 months as presented by the Department of Health.   The deficiency in support for mothers who elect to breastfeed is reflected by the fact that basic breastfeeding techniques are the major concerns reported in the sample survey from over 4,000 Baby Friendly Hotline calls received over the last three and half years. The findings were released today when Dr. Patricia Ip, Chairman of BFHIHKA and Ms Christine Lam, Treasurer of BFHIHKA, presented results of BFHIHKA’s Annual Breastfeeding Survey and analysis of hotlines calls at the press conference inaugurating World Breastfeeding Week 2009 (1 – 7 August).

According to the findings from the hotline calls, around 28% of calls are on breastfeeding techniques and concerns and 22% of calls are on breast/nipples concerns that could have been prevented through better breastfeeding techniques.   Among the queries on breastfeeding techniques, 29% was on the misperception of insufficient milk, 17% on breast milk storage, and 13% on frequency of feeding and adequacy of infant’s intake.  Among the queries on breast/nipples concerns, 38% was on engorgement, 19% on sore nipples, and 11% on breast pain.

“We would like to encourage more doctors and nurses who are caring for mothers and infants to complete at least the WHO 20-hour training program.  Moreover, in order to better support breastfeeding mothers after discharge from hospitals, more health professionals are needed to join our volunteer team to man our Baby-Friendly hotline’, said Dr. Patricia Ip. “Breastfeeding is beneficial to children’s immediate and long-term healthy growth and development and to mothers’ health.  Hong Kong should enable mothers to breastfeed exclusively for the first six-months and continue breastfeeding with the introduction of appropriate complementary foods up to two years or beyond as recommended by WHO.”

“In view of the training gap, the Department of Health is in the process of developing an education kit for medical practitioners,” said Dr. Rachel Cheng, Senior Medical Officer, Family Health Service,

Department of Health. “By adopting a practical and interactive approach, the education kit aims to enhance medical practitioners’ understanding of the policies and practices conductive to the initiation, establishment and maintenance of breastfeeding.”

The theme of World Breastfeeding Week 2009 is “Breastfeeding, a Vital Emergency Response: Are You Ready?” Leaders in the breastfeeding fields shared its relevance to Hong Kong.

“In emergency, children and families often have to survive without adequate food, safe water and sanitation.” said Ms Christine Lam,  “Breast milk offers an excellent source of nutrition for infants and, especially where clean water is lacking.  Breastfeeding is a shield that protects infants in an emergency. Hong Kong as a benefactor to areas facing disasters has to be aware of this. On the other hand, being exclusively breastfeed is also the best basic protection we can provide our infants towards unforeseen infections such as the Human Swine Flu. ”

-         End -

Guest speakers for the World Breastfeeding Week 2009 Press Conference. From the left: Ms. Christine Lam, Dr. Rachel Cheng Pui Yan, Dr. Patricia Ip, Ms. Heidi Lam and Ms. Millie Wong.
 

About UNICEF

UNICEF is on the ground in 150 countries and territories to help children survive and thrive, from early childhood through adolescence.  The world’s largest provider of vaccines for developing countries, UNICEF supports child health and nutrition, good water and sanitation, quality basic education for all boys and girls, and the protection of children from violence, exploitation, and AIDS.  UNICEF is funded entirely by the voluntary contributions of individuals, businesses, foundations and governments.

About Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative Hong Kong Association

In 1992, the Hong Kong Committee for UNICEF formed the Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative Committee in order to promote and support breastfeeding in Hong Kong. This Committee has been organizing activities for the World Breastfeeding Week in Hong Kong. With the increasing support given by local maternity hospitals and health centres, the Committee was registered as the Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative Hong Kong Association in June 1994 aimed at promoting breastfeeding and protecting infant health.

We are committed to creating a healthcare environment that enables mothers, families and other caregivers to make informed decisions about optimal infant feeding.

For further information, please contact：

Hong Kong Committee for UNICEF

Ms Kitty Chan, Advocacy and Public Relations Manager              Tel:   2833 6139 / 9464 6869

                                                                                                 Email:  kchan@unicef.org.hk

Ms. Polly Cheng, Project Officer                                                 Tel:   2591 0782 / 9874 0558

                                                                                                 Email:  bfhi@unicef.org.hk