World Breastfeeding Week: a great time to show love

This year, just as every year, Hillel Yaffe Medical Center’s Maternity Division staff marked World Breastfeeding Week. Due to the week's proximity to Tu B’Av, the Jewish holiday of love, the Maternity Division decided to focus on the environmental and social importance of breastfeeding - for the mother and baby, but also to pamper the women who gave birth over the week with different types of surprises. At the beginning of the week, the department was decorated with balloons that were delightfully colorful and a gift from Hillel Yaffe Medical Center was given to the new mothers recovering in the Maternity Department. Additionally, a special table of sweet treats was set up in the dining area and included dried fruit and other healthy and tasty foods that promote women’s health and breastfeeding. Later in the week, a photographer came in to take photos of any woman who wanted to along with her baby, partner or accompanying family member.

The Maternity Division staff as they open Breastfeeding Week

The Nursing Supervisor of the Maternity Division at HYMC, Orly Basis, stated, “We do everything in our power to provide new mothers with education on breastfeeding and respect any choice they make on how and whether they choose to do so. Breastfeeding is known to be beneficial not only for the baby, but also for the mother - in contracting the uterus, losing weight, lowering the risk of breast and ovarian cancer and more. Advantages of breastfeeding for the development and health of babies are well known, and it also promotes economic growth and reduces inequalities in the population.”

For more information about the services provided to pregnant women and new mothers at Hillel Yaffe Medical Center, e-mail: [email protected]