TheWorld Health Organization has commended Papua New Guineafor takingthe lead in promoting breastfeeding.
It is also working closely withthe national government to ensurethe practice is strenthened, with a new legislation soon to be developed to protect babies from bottle feeding.
Nurses fromthe Susu Mama’s clinic in Port Moresby, this morning carrlied out awareness onthe importance of exclusive breastfeeding, as part ofthe 2013 National Health Week.
A national survey showed 91.1 per cent of mthers are practicing exclusive breastfeeding, between six to eleven months,thenthe previous four months.
This extension helps to protect babies from contracting diseases and allowsthe babies digestive system to fully develop.
During this period, babies are strictly to be breastfed, no ther fluids, or solid food must be given.
Susu Mama’s say, most babies die of diarrhea, pneumonia and chest infections, because mthers do not adhere to exclusive breast feeding.
They say, althoughthe country is doing well, more awareness needs to be carrlied out.
However,the practice is said to be lower among working mthers, with many ofthem resorting to bottle feeding.
Susu Mama’s is working closely to ensurethe public service guidelines are implemented to give ample time for working mthers to attend totheir babies.
Legislation will soon be developed to scrutinizethe use of bottles feeding and protect babies from it.
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