Restaurant in Moldovan capital opened space for breastfeeding

Chisinau, 1 August /MOLDPRES/- In a restaurant in the capital was inaugurated today a space for breastfeeding, where the mothers will be able to feed their babies. The action takes place in the context of the World Breastfeeding Week, marked on 1-7 August.

UNICEF Representative in Moldova, Desiree Monique Jongsma, said that breastfeeding is one of the first rights that a baby can benefit and so UNICEF and the World Health Organization recommend exclusive breastfeeding during the first six months of life and continued breastfeeding for up to two years.

Rodica Scutelnic, State Secretary at the Ministry of Health, Labor and Social Protection, said breastfeeding is the best investment in a child's health.

During the World Breastfeeding Week, marked by 175 countries in the world with the slogan "Breastfeeding - the source of life", several events will be organized in the Republic of Moldova, including public discussions and individual consultations, seminars, workshops, briefings.

According to the National Public Health Agency, around 800,000 children under five could be saved every year if all children aged 0-23 months should be breastfed optimally.

According to statistics, in Moldova during 2017, about 89.5% of the total number of newborns were breastfed until the age of three months, 82.4 per cent – by six months and 71 per cent – by 1 year.

(Reporter N. Sandu, editor A. Răileanu)