Chinese women should be given more maternity leave to better
breastfeed their babies, in line with World Health Organization
recommendations, a leading pediatrician suggests.
Although China currently follows WHO guidelines and has among
the most breastfeeding mothers in the world, the current policies
do not guarantee sufficient care for new mothers, Ding Zongyi,
president of the Child Health Committee under the Chinese Medical
Doctor Association, said.
Breastfeeding is recommended by the WHO as the best way to
provide infants with the nutrients they need for healthy growth and
development. Normally, exclusive breastfeeding is recommended up to
six months.
According to China's Labor Law, women should receive no fewer
than 90 days statutory maternity leave and not more than 15 days'
pre-delivery leave.
They are also given the chance to have another 30 or 45 days'
leave, depending on several conditions, such as the statutory age
for late childbearing and delivery methods.
"New mothers should have at least six months' maternity leave to
meet the WHO's recommendation, or working will affect the quality
of the milk," Ding told China Daily.
"Also, the physical condition of new mothers should not be
neglected. A healthy, happy mother can provide more nutritious milk
to her baby," he said.
Before maternity leave is modified, the administration should
encourage employers to arrange transportation to pick up
breastfeeding mothers and set up a special room for breastfeeding,
he suggested.
"All these measures are in the best interests of new mothers and
will help encourage more women to breastfeed their children," Ding
said.
His ideas received warm welcome from mothers-to-be.
"Many of my friends gave up feeding their children so they could
go back to work, but I insisted."
Renee Wang, a mother of a 19-month-old girl in Shanghai, said:
"People without such experience cannot imagine how tough it is to
feed your child while working."
Yang Min, a civil servant in Shenzhen, said it is fair to get
six months' leave.
"Breastfeeding is good for both babies and moms. I hope I can
feed my baby as long as it wants it," said the mom-to-be, who is
expecting to give birth in late December.
(China Daily November 26, 2007)