To mark World Breastfeeding Week, celebrated annually from August 1 to 7, Caritas Baby Hospital (CBH) launched a campaign to promote breastfeeding among pregnant and breastfeeding mothers, as well as healthcare providers in the local community.
The campaign featured a series of lectures held in the Mother's Residency Department, focusing on topics relevant to new mothers. The goal was to raise awareness about the benefits of breastfeeding and to promote the physical and psychological health of both mothers and their children.
In addition, the hospital's breastfeeding committee prepared and distributed educational materials to serve as an official and reliable resource for mothers seeking information on breastfeeding.
A highlight of the campaign was a workshop titled “Breastfeeding Support for All,” attended by over 30 pregnant and breastfeeding women. The workshop featured Dr. Sahar Al-Araj Marzouqa, an obstetric and gynecological surgery consultant, who discussed breast development at different life stages and the physiology of breastfeeding. Dr. Jihad Taha, a pediatrician and international breastfeeding consultant, spoke about the benefits of breastfeeding for both mother and child. She emphasized the World Health Organization’s recommendations, which advocate exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of a child's life, initiating breastfeeding within the first hour after birth, and breastfeeding on demand.
The workshop also included lectures on the challenges of breastfeeding and available solutions, maternal nutrition during breastfeeding, and the psychological and social challenges faced by breastfeeding mothers. All lectures were presented by the hospital staff.
Reflecting on the initiative, Mrs. Suhair Qumsieh, the Chief Nursing Officer at Caritas Baby Hospital, stated: "This campaign demonstrates our commitment to improving the health of mothers and children in our community. We believe breastfeeding is an essential part of maternal and child care, and we strive to provide the necessary support and information to help mothers on this journey."
Mrs. Enas Zalloum shared her inspiring success story with her son Mohammed, who was born prematurely, weighing just 650 grams, and spent the first months of his life in the neonatal intensive care unit at Caritas Baby Hospital. She said: “Despite the great challenges I faced, I was determined to breastfeed, pumping milk and sending it to Mohammed during his treatment. I believed this milk was not just food but a strong maternal bond contributing to his recovery. Today, I proudly say that a mother’s love and determination can make a difference in her child’s life.”
It is worth noting that Caritas Baby Hospital has adopted the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative since 2016, a program launched by the World Health Organization and UNICEF in 1991. Through the 10 steps to successful breastfeeding, the initiative encourages new mothers to breastfeed their newborns and educates health workers on the best ways to support breastfeeding.
