Putting Working Mothers First – Philips AVENT Breastfeeding & Infant Nutrition Conference

April 30, 2013 - PRLog -- For the 5th year running, Philips AVENT will host a breastfeeding and early infant nutrition forum for both moms, ‘moms-to-be’ and healthcare professionals in the UAE. The conferences will take place at the JW Marriott Marquis Hotel in Dubai on Saturday, 25 May 2013, and is provided by thought professional leaders.

Philips AVENT is committed to increasing breastfeeding rates by promoting and supporting optimal breastfeeding practices with the ultimate goal of improving infant and mother’s health. This year, Philips AVENT will focus on the role of the mothers in the workplace and how working mothers can make the best choices to balance their careers along with the nutritional needs of their infants.

By providing a forum where ‘stay-at-home’ moms, ‘moms-to-be’ and working mothers can each engage in dialogue with gynaecologists, midwives, breastfeeding advisors, nursing professionals, neonatologists and paediatricians to make the most informed choices for their children.  

“We recognize the challenges of being a working mom and this year, we focus on providing these remarkable moms with the support and guidance they need to balance their commitments. Philips AVENT is dedicated to reassuring and supporting a mother’s best choices, from pregnancy to breastfeeding, both at home and at the workplace, and eventually to weaning your child. Making an informed choice when it comes to infant or child nutrition means moms can give their children the best possible start in life,” says Ozlem Fidanci, Vice President and General Manager, Philips Consumer Lifestyle, Middle East, Turkey and Africa.

The session for moms and ‘moms-to-be’ will start at 8.30am with morning coffee and a mid-morning complimentary refreshment break hosted by Philips AVENT. Moms can use the complimentary crèche services for their toddlers and a private breastfeeding area. Moms and ‘moms-to-be’ can participate in breastfeeding and weaning educational classes which will be run by a midwife educator and experts in the fields of pediatrics, infantology and nutrition, and will help mothers overcome any challenges or fears they may have with regards to breastfeeding and weaning.

“Working and continuing to breast feed is a fine balancing act,” says Jenna Wilson, mother to a 6-month-old Elise, and editor of a healthcare publication in the UAE. “The main challenges I faced when returning to work was a lack of understanding and appropriate facilities to be able to express while at work. When it comes to weaning, I found that there is so much conflicting advice out there that I ended up stressing about what was the right thing to do. Working mothers could really benefit from a forum to discuss the issue with both experts and other working mothers.”

“Juggling motherhood with work or other lifestyle needs is a strain on even the most experienced mother. I urge anyone considering breastfeeding to plan, educate and learn from others to make an informed decision on what is best for you and your baby. If your workplace doesn't have a policy for feeding moms, talk to them and request the issue be looked into. Support is all around for those who ask for it, and it is important that new mothers in particular know that there are many ways to receive help and support from friends, family and professionals in the field,” says Kellie Whitehead, owner of mama media, mamavents and www.mamaknowsdubai.com, and longstanding chairwoman at the Philips AVENT conference.  

Philips AVENT will also run an afternoon session aimed at healthcare professionals and will offer presentations on the latest research and developments in breastfeeding and nutrition from across the world. This year, topics to be discussed include the role of nutrition in long term health and the importance of breast milk in neonatology intensive care.