Mothers taking part in the one-minute simultaneous breastfeeding event organised by Penang Adventist Hospital at Gurney Plaza.
SELF-employed Ong York Tee has never bought milk formula for any of her three children ever since the birth of her eldest 12 years ago.
Ong, 43, has breastfed all her children, with her youngest who is now five years old, still nursing.
“I have seldom brought any of my children to see the doctor.
“This is the best gift in life which I have given my children, which is good health,” she said.
Ong said that when she and her husband Chin Jay Sin, 42, were expecting their first child 12 years ago, they were naive and had not bought any milk formula for the baby.
“However, our doctor was the one who encouraged us about breastfeeding,” she said, adding that she has not looked back since.
She also said that having a supportive husband and family members helped her all these years.
Fathers taking part in a diaper-changing competition during the World Breastfeeding Week 2022 celebration. – CHAN BOON KAI/The Star
“I chose breastfeeding and stuck to it because it is convenient, I can breastfeed my babies anywhere, anytime and the best part is that they are stronger, healthier and even if they fall sick, the recovery is faster.
“I noticed that during the Covid-19 pandemic, when some of my children’s friends were sick, my kids’ immune system was good enough for them not to fall sick,” she added.
Chin, also self-employed, said they had always brought their children everywhere and his wife was never shy about breastfeeding the children in public places.
“As long as she had her nursing apron to cover, she used to nurse our children at nursing rooms, fitting rooms and sometimes even while sitting on a bench!,” he exclaimed.
Ong was among five mothers who took part in a recent one-minute breastfeeding event held at Penang Adventist Hospital’s “Step Up for Breastfeeding, Educate & Support” campaign at Gurney Plaza, in conjunction with the World Breastfeeding Week celebrated yearly from Aug 1 to Aug 7.
First-time mum Y. Juanita Pragasini, 32, a clerk, and her husband W. John Anand, 34, a technician, were also at the event with their two-month-old baby Joachim Anand William.
Juanita said they decided on breastfeeding after reading about the benefits of mother’s milk.
“Since I am also working in a hospital where breastfeeding is encouraged, I decided to give it a try and today, I am happy with the decision,” Juanita said.
However, when asked about nursing her baby at public places, the young mother said she was still shy about the idea.
“Unless my husband is there to give me some support, I am still not ready to nurse my baby in public places,” she said.
Legal executive Nor Azrah Mohd Salim, 30, said more such breastfeeding campaigns should be held to encourage new mothers.
“It will be good if these campaigns encourage and create awareness for more young mothers not to be shy to breastfeed in public areas.
“I also hope that more private companies and public areas will have nursing rooms to make it convenient for mothers like me,” said Nor Azrah, who is breastfeeding her son Mohd Ruhaan Mohd Razeen, three, and eight-month-old daughter Nur Rihaana Mohd Razeen.
Her husband Mohd Razeen Mohd Yusoff, 33, a clerk, said men must support their wives if they want to breastfeed in public areas.
Penang Adventist Hospital’s president and chief executive officer Ronald Koh, in his speech, said:
“We must educate our society on the benefits and importance of breastfeeding, create awareness and send a strong message to policy makers and business owners to support breastfeeding mothers.
“As a baby-friendly hospital that advocates breastfeeding, our hospital’s Kangaroo Club Breastfeeding Support Group has lactation educators who are trained and certified to support breastfeeding mothers and empower them,” he said, adding that breastfeeding has long been associated with reduced risk of diseases in both infants and mothers.
Penang social development and non-Islamic religious affairs committee chairman Chong Eng, who launched the event, said full-time working mothers who needed to return to their workplace, often found it challenging to continue breastfeeding their child, especially when their superiors or co-workers were not supportive.
“With better understanding towards nursing mothers, comes better policies to support and protect these mothers. We need to step up our efforts and do better for these nursing mothers,” she said.
