TY - JOUR
T1 - Breastfeeding trends and determinants
T2 - Implications and recommendations for gulf cooperation council countries
AU - Al-Nuaimi, Nisreen
AU - Katende, Godfrey
AU - Arulappan, Judie
PY - 2017/5
Y1 - 2017/5
N2 - Optimal breastfeeding practices entail the early initiation of breastfeeding soon after delivery of the baby, exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life and the continuation of breastfeeding complemented by solid food up until two years of age. Breastfeeding has wide-ranging health benefits for both the mother and her child; however, many factors contribute to low rates of exclusive breastfeeding. This article highlights the benefits of optimal breastfeeding as well as trends and determinants associated with breastfeeding both worldwide and in Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. Strategies to optimise breastfeeding and overcome breastfeeding barriers in the GCC region are recommended, including community health and education programmes and ‘baby-friendly’ hospital initiatives. Advocates of breastfeeding are needed at the national, community and family levels. In addition, more systematic research should be conducted to examine breastfeeding practices and the best strategies to promote breastfeeding in this region.
AB - Optimal breastfeeding practices entail the early initiation of breastfeeding soon after delivery of the baby, exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life and the continuation of breastfeeding complemented by solid food up until two years of age. Breastfeeding has wide-ranging health benefits for both the mother and her child; however, many factors contribute to low rates of exclusive breastfeeding. This article highlights the benefits of optimal breastfeeding as well as trends and determinants associated with breastfeeding both worldwide and in Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. Strategies to optimise breastfeeding and overcome breastfeeding barriers in the GCC region are recommended, including community health and education programmes and ‘baby-friendly’ hospital initiatives. Advocates of breastfeeding are needed at the national, community and family levels. In addition, more systematic research should be conducted to examine breastfeeding practices and the best strategies to promote breastfeeding in this region.
KW - Arab World
KW - Breastfeeding
KW - Health Planning Recommendations
KW - Maternal-Child Health Services
KW - Trends
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85026465276&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=85026465276&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.18295/squmj.2016.17.02.004
DO - 10.18295/squmj.2016.17.02.004
M3 - Article
C2 - 28690886
AN - SCOPUS:85026465276
SN - 2075-051X
VL - 17
SP - e155-e161
JO - Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal
JF - Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal
IS - 2
ER -