Give children best start in life

The call for urgent action must be heard across China. The arguments for breastfeeding are staggering: natural immunization for newborns in their mother's colostrum, a free "superfood" with all the nutrients a child needs to survive and thrive, healthier mothers, and closer bonds between the mother and child. Yet, beyond the borders of Tianjin, where 13 medical workers were caught, these practices exist in many cities. In a six-city survey commissioned by Save the Children for our Superfood for Babies Report, about 40 percent of mothers surveyed said they received free samples, of which more than one-third said their samples were provided by health workers.

This is not simply the result of corruption. Many health workers may not be fully aware of the benefits of breastfeeding, due to lack of education or information. As such, to highlight the importance of investing in China's health workers and the role they play in ensuring children are healthy, health workers represented Save the Children in the Beijing Marathon on October 20. This was followed by the Global Day of Action by Save the Children, which saw 50,000 children across 67 countries, China included, run a relay marathon, calling for investments and support for health workers globally.

The solution is simple, clear-cut and proven effective: strong implementation of the Code of Conduct, in particular support so health workers implement the Code with confidence. Adopting the World Health Organization's baby-friendly hospital initiative in China has proved to be an excellent way to protect new mothers and their children from infant formula. The initiative comprises of 10 steps that ensure hospital staff members are fully aware of breastfeeding policies, that mothers-to-be are well-informed about breastfeeding and well-supported to breastfeed, and referred to breastfeeding support groups.

The results show undeniable success. Where these measures have been implemented, breastfeeding rates doubled in rural areas and increased from 10 to 47 percent in urban areas after just two years. The implementation phase of the Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative also helps to ensure that health workers are better trained to support mothers while working within an environment that is supportive of breastfeeding.

As mothers in China continue to battle fears of infant formula contamination, breast milk is not only the most nutritious food; it is also the safest for our children.

The author is country director of the Save the Children.

(China Daily 11/01/2013 page9)