Film ‘First Step Towards The Life’ dedicated to benefits of breastfeeding presented

Film ‘First Step Towards The Life’ by Heydar Aliyev Foundation, UNICEF and Ministry of Health was presented at the Baku Business Center, June 21. 

The film has been made in frame of the ‘Breastfeeding’ campaign performed by Heydar Aliyev Foundation and UNICEF, which aims at focusing the attention of the government and the public on the benefits and importance of breastfeeding. Representatives of governmental bodies, healthcare and nutrition experts, journalists were present in the event.

Informing about the studies conducted in Azerbaijan in frame of the campaign, Head of UNICEF Azerbaijan Office Mark Hereward said as a strongest factor for the survival of a child in comparison with preventive interventions, breastfeeding in the first 2 years can decrease death of children under the age of 5 from 15% to 12% in developing countries. According to the studies, 81% of women in Azerbaijani villages breastfeed from the first day of birth, while this rate is 25% in the city. 84% of women choosing home birth breastfeed, while 63% of women giving birth in the hospital feed their babies with breast milk, though mothers in the hospital should be much more educated. On the other hand, women in a village with low income and education support their babies better than women in a city with higher income and education.  

Representative of Heydar Aliyev Foundation Farid Aghamaliyev talked of the importance of the documentary made as part of the campaign. He noted every family wants to have a healthy child, which means a happy and strong family. The presented film shows the significance of breastfeeding in the sample of a family on the basis of its scientific and practical study by experts.    

Chief Pediatrician of the Ministry of Health Nasib Guliyev said the chance of breastfed babies to survive in the first months is 6 times higher in comparison with non-breastfed infants.Breastfeeding protects children from respiratory and infectious diseases, helps protect from chronic diseases, strengthens immune system.  

MP Musa Guliyev spoke about benefits of breastfeeding, mentioned necessity of agitation and enlightenment in this field, said the film presented will play an important role in this direction.

Representative of the State Committee on Family, Woman and Child Problems Sanubar Alizade, US Ambassador to Azerbaijan Matthew Bryza’s spouse Zeyno Baran and others underlined breastfeeding is the major human right and early breastfeeding should be ensured for all, including vulnerable and isolated population. Breastfeeding can help remove economic and social gaps.