Warm Chain to Support Breastfeeding Mothers: TBAN, Healthcare Professionals, Academicians, Fathers, Young Persons, Community Members

The "Warm Chain to Support Breastfeeding Mothers" event happened last week, organised by the School of Pharmacy, Monash University Malaysia, in conjunction with World’s Breastfeeding Week with the theme of “Closing the gap: Breastfeeding support for all”.

The event was opened with Professor Shaun Lee, the Head of the School of Pharmacy, who emphasised the significance of breastfeeding for child health and bonding between the mother and the child.

We were honoured to have three speakers who have been advocating breastfeeding in Malaysia, including Ms. Gina Yong, the Founder of The Breastfeeding Advocates Network (TBAN), Dr. Gin Lim a dentist and breastfeeding counsellor, and Ms. Daphne Lee-Yang, a hypnobirthing practitioner and breastfeeding counsellor.

“Knowledge is the key” was the main message from Ms. Gina Yong to all, emphasising the importance of breastfeeding knowledge to help provide support to breastfeeding mothers. Dr. Lim emphasised the benefits of breastfeeding to a child’s oral health conditions and the importance of early detection and intervention of a tongue or lip tie which could cause breastfeeding difficulties. Ms. Daphne Lee-Yang provided a holistic perspective, underscoring the importance of early skin-to-skin contact and immediate breastfeeding initiation after birth.

A comprehensive antenatal and breastfeeding classes are important to encourage both parents to prepare for the birth and breastfeeding process.

It was a successful event where healthcare professionals (dentists, pharmacists, psychologists, occupational therapists), students (future healthcare professionals), and community members learned about how all of us can play significant roles in supporting the dyad of a new mother and baby.

The event has been covered by Free Malaysia Today. Read more about the support needed for breastfeeding mothers.