Sharjah 24: The Friends of Breastfeeding Association of the Health Promotion Department at the Supreme Council for Family Affairs recently concluded the 15th Breastfeeding Guides Programme. Some 18 trainees took part in the programme which was presented in Arabic and English by a group of doctors and health educators.

The 12-day virtual programme aimed at enhancing health awareness of the importance and benefits of breastfeeding, ways to understand the newborn needs, and the components and importance of breast milk for the child.

The programme touched on the hurdles facing breastfeeding mothers and the keys to successful breastfeeding. It also provided tips for breastfeeding mothers about how to prevent Covid-19 infection and the procedures that must be followed in case the mother is infected with coronavirus, in addition to offering instructions about how mothers with the Covid-19 can continue breastfeeding their newborn, while avoiding virus transmission.

Eng. Khawla Al Noman, Head of Breastfeeding Friends Association, said: “I’m very pleased with the success achieved and the joining of new members and volunteers. This would help enhance our ongoing efforts to spread the culture of breastfeeding and provide all means of support to mothers to continue breastfeeding their infants.”

Al Noman urged the trainees to make use of the experiences they gained through the programme to become ambassadors of the Association to help and educate mothers on breastfeeding.