TEMBURONG

Saturday, August 7, 2010

WORKING mothers in Temburong district were advised to have their newborns get used to taking pumped breast milk two weeks before returning to work.

Speaking at the World Breastfeeding Week event, Hjh Siti Aishah Hj Damit, a senior nurse at the Berakas Health Centre, said the familiarising process is important so that mothers would not be clueless on what to do and to maintain a supply of breast milk for the babies while they are at work.

Addressing expecting and breastfeeding mothers at the event yesterday, Hjh Aishah said working mothers are encouraged to pump breast milk at their respective workplaces to maintain the supply of breast milk for their babies.

She also outlined the guidelines on giving pumped milk to babies, saying that mothers need to clean containers to store the milk, using cold box, ice packs and breast milk pump, if they are not using their hands.

“Make sure to mark the date and time (when you pumped the milk). Immediately place the (pumped milk) in a cool box filled with ice. Once you arrive home, place the milk in a refrigerator or freezer.”

“Make sure that you separate the milk from other perishable items in your refrigerator or freezers, so as to avoid contamination,” she added.

The senior nurse also stressed the importance of support in exclusive breastfeeding, saying that it is difficult to succeed without support from family members.

“If they are not positive about exclusive breastfeeding, this can affect the process,” she added.

She also advised husbands to assist their wives in daily household chores and in taking care of their other children.

“That is why the Ministry of Health makes sure that talks on breastfeeding is not only attended by expecting and breastfeeding mothers, but also attended by their husbands and family members.”

She said mothers often worry that they do not have enough breast milk for their baby.

“Mothers’ milk production will be affected in cases where the mothers are not confident with their ability to breastfeed, or if they are emotionally depressed,” she said.

Hjh Siti Aishah also reminded mothers not to limit their breastfeeding period (for example once every two hours), but instead breastfeed when necessary.

The Brunei Times

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