The national Nutrition Survey, showed an increase on exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months in 2014 at 51 per cent compared to 40 per cent in 2004.

This was highlighted by the Assistant Minister for Health and Medical Services, Alex O’Connor during the launch of the National Nutrition Month and World Breastfeeding Week in Bua on Monday.

Mr O’Connor congratulated the Bua Sub-divisional Hospital staff in having achieved the high standards of breastfeeding promotion, protection and support necessary to be accredited with the national ‘Baby Friendly’ Hospital award.

“We are aware that the early years of a child’s life provide a unique window of opportunity for establishing and ensuring a lifelong health patterns in adulthood,” Mr O’Connor said.

“Mothers too benefit from breastfeeding as they get some protection against pre-menopausal breast cancer and ovarian cancer, as well as osteoporosis later in life,” he said.

“There are health enhancing and disease preventive advantages in breastfeeding and also breastfeeding provides superior nutrition for the new-born, breastfeeding is more economical than formula feeding.

“The decision to breast or formula feed remains your individual choice,” he said.

He said babies with a history of breastfeeding not only have fewer infections and illnesses throughout childhood but also have a significantly lower risk of developing heart diseases and obesity much later in life.

Mr O’Connor said meeting the Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative standards and accreditations is aligned with the National Strategic Plan indicator of the Ministry of Health and Medical Services which aims to reduce the malnutrition among new born through breastfeeding promotion and support for maternal, infant and child health.

Edited by Karalaini Waqanidrola

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