On August 5th, at the symposium of World Breastfeeding Week, Professor Lai, deputy director of the Institute of Nutrition and Health of China Center for Disease Control and Prevention, said that breast milk is the most natural, beautiful and safe food for every new life, and breast-feeding is good for both mother and baby. However, nutrition survey data show that all countries in the world are facing an unsatisfactory breastfeeding rate. At present, more than half of the children in the world and about two thirds in China do not fully enjoy the benefits of breastfeeding.
Breastfeeding is beneficial to the brain and sensory development of babies.
Experts pointed out that breast milk is safe, easy to digest and absorb, can promote the baby's intestinal development, and also contains rich antibodies, which can help the baby get immune protection and reduce the occurrence of diseases. Breast milk contains all the nutrients a baby needs within six months after birth. Even after six months, breast milk is still an important source of energy and quality nutrition for babies.
Le Qiang Jian said that breast milk can't be regarded as a single food, but as a product of racial continuity or biological evolution. Breastfeeding a baby is not only as simple as health education and weight gain, but more importantly, breastfeeding is related to the development of children's sense of smell and taste, and it is difficult to do it with a simple formula of breast milk powder.
It is understood that breastfeeding is not only beneficial to the emotional development of babies, but also can enhance the brain and sensory development of babies. Breast-fed children perform better in intelligence tests, are less likely to be overweight or obese, and are less likely to develop type II diabetes or other metabolic diseases when they grow up. In addition, breast-fed mothers have a lower risk of breast cancer and ovarian cancer.
The World Health Organization and UNICEF suggest that babies should start breastfeeding as soon as possible within the first hour after birth, and insist on exclusive breastfeeding for six months, then start adding complementary food and continue breastfeeding until they are about two years old.
The marketing behavior of breast milk substitutes needs to be standardized urgently
Dr. Chang, a nutrition expert in China office, pointed out that in recent years, the baby birth rate in China has been declining, but the sales of formula milk powder are increasing. One of the main reasons is that more mothers choose formula to feed.
"Infant formula marketing activities will have a negative impact on breastfeeding. For example, the more pregnant women are exposed to infant formula marketing activities, the more positive their attitude towards formula. " It is often suggested that it is necessary to regulate the marketing behavior of breast milk substitutes through mandatory laws and regulations. At the same time, we must effectively protect, promote and support breastfeeding by expanding the scope of high-quality infant feeding consulting services, implementing family-friendly policies in the workplace and increasing publicity on the importance of breastfeeding.
Strengthen breast-feeding counseling services.
According to Professor Wang of the Breast-feeding Promotion Committee of China Nutrition Society, recently, the "Infant Feeding Consultation-Training Course and Practice Guide for Grassroots Health Personnel" jointly compiled by the Maternal and Child Health Department of the National Health and Wellness Committee and the China Office of UNICEF was officially released. The China Nutrition Society will provide infant feeding consultation training for registered dietitians, nutrition instructors and other nutrition professionals, so as to enhance their service ability to provide infant feeding consultation.