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Breastfeeding recommendations of the National Breastfeeding Committee now available in Arabic
27/2016, 19.07.2016
Leaflets provide information for pregnant and breastfeeding women as well as family members, doctors, midwives and clinic personnel
The leaflets "Breastfeeding recommendations for pregnant women" and "Breastfeeding recommendations for the infancy period" are now also available in Arabic. The translation of the leaflets into Arabic was done in response to requests from doctors and midwives caring for pregnant and breastfeeding women refugees. With its "Breastfeeding recommendations", the National Breastfeeding Committee at the German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) provides information on the significance of breastfeeding and wants to encourage women to get professional help in case they experience difficulties with breastfeeding. After all, breast milk is the ideal food for infants, as it is easy to digest and fully covers the nutritional and fluid requirements of infants in their first 6 months of life. "The BfR is committed to helping refugees through several projects", says Professor Dr. Dr. Andreas Hensel, President of the BfR, "including an extension of our multi-lingual risk communication services." The "Breastfeeding recommendations for pregnant women" and the "Breastfeeding recommendations for the infancy period" have been available in German, Turkish, Russian, English, French and Italian for a while now. They can be obtained from the National Breastfeeding Committee free of charge or downloaded as a PdF file from the BfR website.
With the leaflets "Breastfeeding recommendations for pregnant women" (to be inserted in the maternal health record) and "Breastfeeding recommendations for the infancy period" (to be inserted in the child’s medical check-up booklet), the National Breastfeeding Committee at the BfR provides information about the significance of breastfeeding and the ways professional help can be obtained in case of difficulties in breastfeeding. Often such problems are the result of a lack of information and insufficient support. Different contacts and organisations offering help are listed in the leaflets.
Due to numerous requests from doctors and midwives attending to pregnant and breastfeeding women refugees, the National Breastfeeding Committee has now also made available its "Breastfeeding recommendations" in Arabic. Psychological trauma and stress which can, for example, arise as a result of an unsettled life situation, can have a negative impact on breastfeeding. It is all the more important in such cases that those affected are given information on how they can get help.
Breastmilk is the ideal food for infants providing specific and non-specific factors against a number of infectious diseases. Breastfed children are sick less often than children on formula. In addition, breastfeeding facilitates bonding between mother and child. Even once solid foods have been introduced, mothers should continue to breastfeed the child.
The National Breastfeeding Committee advises the Federal Government, publishes guidelines and recommendations and supports the various initiatives aimed at eliminating existing breastfeeding impediments. The "Breastfeeding recommendations for pregnant women" and the "Breastfeeding recommendations for the infancy period" are now available in seven languages and can be requested from the National Breastfeeding Committee free of charge or downloaded as a PdF from the BfR website at:
- http://www.bfr.bund.de/en/publication/breastfeeding_recommendations-62826.html
About the National Breastfeeding Committee
The National Breastfeeding Committee was founded in 1994 with the aim of promoting a breastfeeding culture in the Federal Republic of Germany and to ensure that breastfeeding becomes the normal form of nutrition for infants. The Committee is composed of members of medical professional associations and organisations who are committed to the issue of breastfeeding in Germany.
About the BfR
The German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) is a scientifically independent institution within the portfolio of the Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture (BMEL) in Germany. It advises the Federal Government and Federal Laender on questions of food, chemical and product safety. The BfR conducts its own research on topics that are closely linked to its assessment tasks.
This text version is a translation of the original German text which is the only legally binding version.