Press Release

January 08, 2009

New Year spring-cleaning for a good cause

The Lunar New Year typically brings about a scene of major spring-cleaning in homes across Singapore, in preparation for the festive celebrations. This year, residents in Hougang will be able to do just that while supporting a good cause: the promotion of breastfeeding.
 
On Saturday, 17 January 2009, the Breastfeeding Mothers Support Group (Singapore), or BMSG(S) and leading real estate agency PropNex will be joining forces to help Hougang residents clear out their clutter of old clothes and newspapers, in an effort to raise funds for BMSG(S). Flagging off the event at 9:30am will be Mr Yeo Guat Kwang, Member of Parliament for Aljunied GRC.
 
“Breastfeeding is the safest and perfect way to feed a baby,” says Alderline Wong, Vice President of BMSG(S). “According to the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the Health Promotion Board (HPB), all mothers should exclusively breastfeed their babies for at least six months. And best of all, especially in this poor economy, it’s free.”
 
“However, many mothers give up breastfeeding within three months of delivery,” she laments. “This is often due to insufficient post-natal breastfeeding support and the constant media promotion of formula that overshadows the message of breastfeeding, playing on the fears of the tired mother who worries about her baby’s growth.”
 
Though BMSG(S) would want to support these mothers to breastfeed longer, the problem is the lack of funds to do so. BMSG(S) runs almost entirely on the goodwill, time and contributions of their volunteers, many of whom are busy working mothers of young children. Their volunteers man the counselling phone and email help lines, organise events to support families, conduct workshops and publish various print materials to promote breastfeeding. With only one administrative staff, volunteers are often stretched to their limits by having to balance work, family and volunteer work.
 
“That is why PropNex is happy to support the BMSG(S),” says Corporate Communications & Marketing Manager of PropNex Adam Tan. “This effort is in line with our constant message to make a difference for our loved ones.”
 
The father of one, with another on the way, firmly believes in the value of breastfeeding. He continues: “Babies are our future. Nurturing them is important to ensure the healthy growth of future generations. And the BMSG(S) is a major factor in this, promoting breastfeeding to ensure better health in over 30,000 babies born in Singapore every year.”
 
The project, a first for BMSG(S), is a welcome to the residents of Hougang for the Lunar New Year, as they can support a good cause without having to fork out a cent while clearing their homes of clutter.
 
 
 
END
 
 
 
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
ABOUT THE BREASTFEEDING MOTHERS SUPPORT GROUP (SINGAPORE)
 
Mission
BMSG(S) is Singapore’s only organization managed by mothers, to promotes, supports and protects breastfeeding. Our mission is to increase the incidence and duration of breastfeeding, for the promotion of better health in Singapore.
 
Objectives
1. To promote breastfeeding by raising awareness of the benefits of breastfeeding to both mother and child:
·         through events such as the annual World Breastfeeding Week,
·         through media, and
·         through in-house publications such as the quarterly Keeping Abreast newsletter, a book on “Practical Hints” for breastfeeding, breastfeeding booklets for general public and car decals.
 
2. To support breastfeeding
By offering support and timely information to new mothers and mothers-to-be
·         through helpline phone and email counselling (counselors handle more than 3,500 calls annually),
·         through in-house library of resource materials and books,
·         through sale of products such as breastpumps, nursing clothes and other essential accessories, and
·         through regular support gatherings.
 
3. To protect breastfeeding
By providing accurate information and protecting against unethical practices in the infant health industry
·         through workshops and talks, and
·         through working closely with SIFECS (Sale of Infant Food Ethics Committee Singapore) which reports on violations of ethics by formula companies.
 
Consequences of NOT Breastfeeding
  • Babies who are not breastfed enjoy less protection from diarrhoea, ear and respiratory infections, eczema, influenza and allergies, predisposing them to higher risks of getting diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity and cancers as adults.
·         Mothers who do not breastfeed may experience more postpartum haemorrhage and face higher risks of pre-menopausal breast, ovarian and uterine cancers.
·         Families whose babies are not breastfed will incur higher costs with purchases of formula and frequent visits to the doctors translating to higher expenses and more childcare leave taken.

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