A
nouvelle cuisine offering more than chicken nuggets and
pizza?? No
its Singapore first 'baby cafe' to help women breast feed
their
babies!!
The benefits of breast feeding and breast milk are numerous.
They
include:
 A
reduced incidence of gastro-intestinal and respiratory
infections in the newborn period.
A
reduced incidence of otitis media and juvenile diabetes,
better development of brain, sight and central nervous
system esp. in
pre-term infants.
A
reduced incidence of obesity in both child hood and adulthood,
improved response to immunisation and lower blood pressure
in later
childhood.
Benefits are also gained by the mother
these include: a
reduction in pre- and post menopausal breast cancer and
some forms of ovarian
cancer, a
lower incidence of hip fractures in women over the
age of 65 and the delayed return of fertility. Breast
feeding also plays a
part in natural weight reduction following birth.
The social gains of reduced illness resulting
in reduced health
care costs and the financial savings all have positive
implications
for families and communities and societies.
Initially a British concept "The
Baby Cafe" was
created by two
lactation consultants in response to a government initiative
to
increase breast feeding rates, there are now 38 baby
cafés
all over
the UK. Singapore will be the second such "cafe'
outside the UK the
first being in Hawke’s Bay New Zealand that opened
its doors earlier
last year.
The Baby cafe key concepts are:
A place when all pregnant and BF mothers are welcome.
A place of
excellence with regard to BF information help and support.
A place where BF at whatever stage is respected and
promoted.
A place where BF is viewed as the natural way to nourish
and nurture
a baby/child.
The 'Baby Cafe,' with its name and visual representation,
is
considered a brand; synonymous with breast feeding,
excellence, quality, style and an informal, relaxed atmosphere.
It will be staffed by lactation consultants and health
visitors
trained in expert breast feeding techniques.
So whether you are pregnant and deciding how to fed
your baby, have
a new born and experiencing problems, planning to go
back to work
and still breast feed, end breast feeding, professionals
are on hand
to help at the baby cafe.
As a drop in centre the baby cafe hopes to provide
a support
network for mothers. Tea coffee and cold drinks are provided
in a
relaxed atmosphere so come along make new friends and
take some
expert advice home with you!
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