Promoting breastfeeding practices.

Breastfeeding is the most natural, optimal, and safest way to nourish infants and young children, but not all mothers know how to breastfeed correctly and promptly.

Therefore, healthcare facilities play a crucial role in promoting breastfeeding practices, contributing to improved child health from the very first days of life.

The World Health Organization (WHO) and the Ministry of Health recommend that infants should be breastfed within one hour of birth, exclusively breastfed for the first six months, and continued until 24 months of age or longer. Despite increasing social awareness of the benefits of breastfeeding, many mothers desire to exclusively breastfeed their babies, but not all succeed. The reasons stem from various factors: mothers who have had a cesarean section may not be able to breastfeed immediately, postpartum fatigue, delayed milk production, lack of specific guidance from healthcare professionals, or simply a lack of confidence…

Healthcare workers guide and support mothers in practicing breastfeeding. Photo: Quang Nhật

Ms. Nguyen Thi Huong (residing in Ea Drong commune) felt quite confused when she became a mother for the first time. Ms. Huong said: “The doctors and nurses instructed me on how to hold the baby while breastfeeding, and that I shouldn't give formula but only breast milk. But because I had just given birth and had little milk, and the baby was very hungry and crying, my family had to mix formula for her.” Ms. Huong's case is not unique. Despite being advised by healthcare workers about the benefits of breastfeeding and encouraged to breastfeed exclusively, practicing it correctly and effectively remains a challenge in many healthcare facilities.

Over the past period, the Central Highlands Regional General Hospital has focused on implementing measures to improve the rate of breastfeeding. On average, the Obstetrics and Gynecology Department welcomes about 20-30 newborns each day via normal delivery and cesarean section. Essential care is provided for all newborns at the hospital. Immediately after birth, babies are placed skin-to-skin with their mothers for at least 90 minutes, a crucial period for stimulating early breastfeeding reflexes. When babies are breastfed early after birth, colostrum helps them fight infections, stabilize body temperature and respiration, strengthen the emotional bond and responsibility between mother and child, and utilize the best source of nutrition with antibodies for the baby in the first days of life.

Dr. Tran Ngoc Thuy (Obstetrics and Gynecology Department, Tay Nguyen Regional General Hospital) stated: Breastfeeding offers numerous benefits for maternal and child health care. Therefore, all mothers who undergo cesarean sections or vaginal deliveries at the hospital are advised to exclusively breastfeed. All babies are placed on their mothers' stomachs and receive their first feeding within 30 minutes in the delivery room and operating room. After returning to their rooms, medical staff provide advice and support on how to breastfeed directly to the mothers and their families. Most mothers, after receiving this support, have adopted the correct breastfeeding practices.

Ms. Ho Thi Hong Hanh (residing in Ea Khal commune) shared: “I received thorough guidance from the doctors and nurses on proper baby-holding positions and how to get my baby to latch onto the breast so that he/she can drink as much milk as possible. The doctors also provided specific advice on the benefits of breastfeeding and the mother's diet to ensure an adequate milk supply for the baby. Thanks to this, I feel more at ease and am able to breastfeed my child better.”

In addition to providing direct guidance to mothers on breastfeeding practices, healthcare facilities also focus on communicating the benefits of breastfeeding to mothers and their families through leaflets, banners, posters, and consultations during daily check-ups by doctors and nurses. Thanks to these comprehensive solutions, the rate of infants being breastfed within the first hour after birth has reached over 90%. Many mothers have been able to maintain exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months and extend it to 24 months or even longer. These efforts in promoting breastfeeding practices at healthcare facilities have contributed to improving the quality of healthcare for mothers and children.

Source: https://baodaklak.vn/xa-hoi/202508/thuc-day-thuc-hanh-nuoi-con-bang-sua-me-a291d31/