| Faza Suraj |
MODERN day fathers show a high level of care towards their wife and are very excited to participate in breastfeeding activities.
This was said by Hajah Masni binti Haji Munir, the Chairperson of HAWA – Brunei’s sole breastfeeding non-governmental organisation (NGO) – during an interview with the media yesterday at an event in the Suri Seri Begawan (SSB) Hospital to commemorate the World Breastfeeding Week which falls annually on the first week of August.
“In our roadshows, we noticed that there are increasing level of awareness on breastfeeding amongst the community,” said Hajah Masni while saying that nowadays they see a growing number of husbands joining in counselling sessions.
She further stated that the new generation of fathers are usually the ones who ask a lot of questions on breastfeeding because they believe that their child’s health is important and they must start from the beginning.
“People are now more open as in, they are not shy to ask questions because they know it is the goodness of the children,” said Hajah Masni.
Furthermore, Hajah Masni emphasised on the caring nature of the husbands and fathers to be observant and inquisitive when they notice their wife is having discomfort or feeling discouraged to continue breastfeeding.
Hajah Masni binti Haji Munir, the Chairperson of HAWA, speaking to one of the fathers at the event. – FAZA SURAJ
“Various challenges are usually faced by mothers who have just delivered their newborn child so therefore the role of the husbands as fathers is to provide stimulus in terms of encouraging mothers to breastfeed,” said Hajah Masni as she explained that the men should help around the home and to take care of the mothers’ feelings.
“The husbands can suggest their wife to go for counselling or to call the nurse to ask for advice. Doing some research on the internet would also be helpful to the wife,” added Hajah Masni, informing that there are hotlines which they can reach for the hospital and the NGO itself.
Hajah Masni announced that HAWA is planning to host motivational camps in the Belait District which will be open for participation from mothers across the Sultanate.
In conjunction with the event, nine nursing covers contributed by the SSB Hospital were distributed to the mothers at the Obstetrics and Gynaecology Ward who recently gave birth.
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