More than 80 percent of mothers in the Netherlands commence breastfeeding, but this figure drops to just 40 percent after two months. Help is at hand to reverse the trend.

The World Health Organisation recommends breastfeeding for a minimum of six months in order to achieve optimal health benefits for mother and baby.

Support services are important for mothers wishing to breastfeed

Breastfeeding reduces the risk of babies developing many illnesses and assists in reducing the risk of later childhood disease. It also helps to protect the mother's health.

According to the United Nations Children Fund in the UK, studies have indicated artificially-fed babies are at greater risk of gastro-intestinal infection, respiratory infections and urinary tract infections.

Rates of ear infections, allergic disease (eczema, asthma and wheezing) and insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus also seem to be higher among babies who were bottle-fed.

Research highlighted by the UNICEF UK Breastfeeding Initiative also indicates women who breastfeed are at lower risk of breast cancer, ovarian cancer and hip fractures. See www.babyfriendly.org.uk

In the Netherlands, childbirth is viewed as a natural process, with minimal intervention and a high percentage of home births. So, what could be more natural than breastfeeding your baby?

Statistics show that at least 80 percent of mothers commence breastfeeding but this figure drops significantly to 40 percent at two months. This suggests that women are not given adequate support in the postnatal period.

Equally, it would suggest that not enough emphasis is placed on breastfeeding education antenatally. Research has shown that just one antenatal session in the last trimester of pregnancy can significantly increase breastfeeding duration.

Conflicting advice is also a problem that many mothers encounter. Advice comes from numerous sources, from the midwife to the mother-in-law.

Postnatal support is available in hospital, but it is not always consistent.  This is not helped by the fact that most mothers, following a normal delivery, are discharged within 24 hours.

The Kraamzorg, or maternity care unit, is an invaluable source of help in the postnatal period but information regarding breastfeeding can often be fragmented. This can lead to confusion and lack of confidence on the part of the mother, which can then affect the duration of breastfeeding.

In the light of overwhelming evidence confirming the health benefits to mothers and babies of breastfeeding, UNICEF/WHO has made a commitment to promote breastfeeding globally.

The UNICEF baby friendly initiative provides a framework for the implementation of best practice by health care workers. Its aim is to help parents make informed decisions about feeding their babies, and then give them support in their chosen feeding method.

Best practice is represented by following the 10 steps to successful breastfeeding. All UNICEF guidelines are research based, which ensures advice given is accurate and consistent. Hospitals which meet the required standards can apply to be accredited as baby friendly.

The Bronovo Hospital in The Hague is currently training its staff so that it can apply for baby friendly accreditation. A midwifery spokesperson at the Bronovo confirmed that mothers who chose to breastfeed their babies would be offered help and encouragement based on the baby friendly initiative recommendations.

Arriving in a new country can be overwhelming and confusing, especially for a pregnant or new mother. In the six months since the launch of a breastfeeding advice  service in The Hague, expat advice centre ACCESS has found that reassurance and some simple tips are often all that is needed in the early days of breastfeeding. It can quite literally mean the difference between an anxious new mother continuing to feed successfully or giving up in frustration.

[Copyright Expatica 2004]

Subject: Breasting feed in the Netherlands