By Bae Ji-sook
Staff Reporter
One in four Korean mothers breastfeeds her babies, far lower than other countries including Sweden and Japan where close to half of mothers do so.
According to the Planned Population Federation of Korea (PPFK), Korean mothers have begun to understand the importance of breastfeeding. In 1997, only 14.1 percent breastfed but the rate jumped to 24.2 percent in 2006. Still, this is lower than Sweden's 46 percent and Japan's 45 percent.
The benefits of breastfeeding are already well known. Breast milk contains various antibodies and prevents two major causes of infantile death ― acute respiratory organ infection and diarrhea ― according to the United Nations Children's Fund. The PPFK said breastfeeding could prevent at least 13 percent of deaths among children less than a year old.
The feeding is also good for the health of mothers. It reduces the risks of breast cancer and ovarian cancer as well as bleeding after labor. The feeding also helps the mother lose weight and increases the bond between mother and child.
Some mothers in Korea say they do not have enough milk, their babies do not suck well or their work makes breastfeeding difficult, according to research by the Ministry for Health, Welfare and Family Affair last year.
A 2005 study showed that the breastfeeding rate marked 45 percent among working women off from work after giving birth, but the rate dropped to 24 percent when they returned to their workplaces.
In a move to encourage more breastfeeding, the government is to reduce health insurance premiums for breastfeeding mothers; to send out helpers to families; and to revise laws to support working mothers.
The world health agencies and UNICEF recommend that breastfeeding be continued until a child reaches between 12 and 24 months.
Susan Siew, co-director of World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action, suggested some policies the government could additionally adopt to help the mothers. At a seminar in Seoul Friday to mark World Breastfeeding Week that falls through Aug.1- 7, she called for flexibility in time for mothers to have gaps for feeding; nursery facilities at workplaces and a ban on the promotion of bottle feeding.
``I know that lack of support from family members or at workplace could discourage many mothers from breastfeeding. But unless you change this, babies will be missing something very important,'' she said.