Salute to all Mother whom breastfeed more than 6 months.

A National Breastfeeding Survey conducted by the Health Promotion Board (HPB) in 2001 showed that the 95% of mothers attempted to breastfeed, which was 30% higher than that in 1980.





The survey found that about 95% of the mothers surveyed attempted breastfeeding as compared to 65% in 1980. The most important reason for initiating breastfeeding, cited by 84% of these mothers, was that breast milk was healthier for their babies. Of the minority who made no attempts to breastfeed their babies, the most important reason cited by them was that they did not see the need to breastfeed.The mean duration of breastfeeding was 13 weeks. The prevalence of breastfeeding was about 72% at 1 month with 50% continuing to do so at 2 months. But the prevalence rate dropped to 21% by the time the babies were 6 months old. The working status of mothers did not have a significant impact on the initiation of breastfeeding although it did have a significant impact on the breastfeeding duration. About 26% of non-working mothers breastfed for up to 6 months as compared to 18% of working mothers.



The factors that contributed to working mothers stopping breastfeeding between 2 and 6 months were due to work-related factors (such as the need to return to work, facilities at the workplace not being conducive for breastfeeding and the demands of work interfering with breastfeeding), insufficient breast milk and baby preferring formula milk.

The factors cited by non-working mothers stopping breastfeeding between 2 and 6 months were insufficient breast milk , baby preferring formula milk and lack of help with the care of baby, other children or household chores.

The Survey also showed that exclusive breastfeeding is not a common practice in Singapore. For most mothers, breastfeeding was combined with supplementary feeds of powdered milk. Only 14% of the 2 months old babies were breastfed exclusively. By 6 months, less than 1% of the babies were breastfed exclusively. According to a publication by WHO in 1996, the exclusive breastfeeding rate under 4 months of age is 49%; in the South East Asia region, and 34% in the Americas. ( So I want to tell my Gracia how lucky you are ) IT"S been more than 9 months and your mummy still BF you exclusively.

Breastfeeding has been proven in many studies to confer numerous benefits on both baby and mother. It has clear benefits for the general health of infants while reducing their risk for a large number of diseases such as gastrointestinal and respiratory infections, diabetes mellitus and lymphoma. Breastfeeding has also been related to the enhancement of cognitive development and educational ability in toddlers and children of preschool ages.

For the mothers, breastfeeding has been associated with reduced risk of ovarian cancer and breast cancer in pre-menopausal women. The short-term benefits to the mother include rapid return to normal weight and a delayed resumption of ovulation leading to increased child spacing.

The World Health Organisation recommends that babies should be breastfed exclusively for 6 months to confer the maximum benefit of breastfeeding on both mother and child. In line with this recommendation, HPB recommends that infants should be breastfed exclusively for 6 months for optimum infant and maternal health.

Thanks my wife for her determination and will do BF our daughter for so long. I salute you>>>