Pregnant women, those planning a family, and breastfeeding mothers are invited to an information session on August 8 at the Baby Wellness Clinic.
The information session will start at 6.30pm until 8.00pm. The Clinic is located in the area of Grand Marche Supermarket Bush Road location behind FATUM Insurances Building.
Attendees will learn about the importance of breastfeeding. Infant and young child feeding is a cornerstone of care for childhood development.
Virtually all mothers can breastfeed, provided they have accurate information, and the support of their family, the health care system and society at large.
Colostrum, the yellowish, sticky breast milk produced at the end of pregnancy, is recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) as the perfect food for the newborn, and feeding should be initiated within the first hour after birth.
Exclusive breastfeeding is recommended up to six (6) months of age, with continued breastfeeding along with appropriate complementary foods up to two years of age or beyond.
The information session is in connection with celebrating the annual Breastfeeding Awareness Week that kicked off 1 August to 7 August.
Youth Health Care where the Baby Wellness Clinic falls under along with several stakeholders have come together to extend the week to the end of August with the sharing of information in country efforts to create awareness about how important it is to protect, promote and support breastfeeding.
Stakeholders are Minister of Public Health, Social Development & Labour Hon. Cornelius de Weever and his ministry, St. Maarten Medical Center (SMMC) nurses, SIFMA and the Lisaflor Maternity Center.