breastfeeding (Photo : Reuters)
Since the start of the UNICEF-initiated project of promoting breast milk and establishing breastfeeding centers everywhere, China has responded to the call. Since the start of the program over a year ago, China has established more than 655 breastfeeding centers in both rural and urban areas, in public and workplaces.
Dubbed the "Love Mummy House," the scheme, which was launched by the Shanghai labor union last June 2013, has a target of 1,000 centers come 2016.
Union officials stated that the breastfeeding centers aim to give nursing mothers a convenient, comfortable and private venues to nurse their babies in public places as well as in their own workplaces.
It promotes breast milk as irreplaceable staple necessary for child-rearing and gives mothers returning from maternity leaves a chance to continue breastfeeding their new babies. The lack of suitable locations for wet nursing forces new mothers to abruptly cease breastfeeding and replace babies' basic staple with artificial milk.
Shao Xinyu, Director of Labor Union's Department of Female Employees, said: "I'm glad that the program has been supported and praised by both employers and employees."
Shao also said that 3 million yuan ($481,660) has been set aside for the project. The breastfeeding centers will be equipped with facilities such as refrigerators, televisions, massage chairs, sterilizers and other equipment necessary in terms of medical and hygienic needs.
First aid and emergency training will also be provided for the staff and management who will run the breastfeeding centers.
