Allow me to express my thoughts as a new father with your journal readers about breastfeeding.

During pregnancy my wife looked for information about breastfeeding benefits. I fully supported my wife’s decision. Both of us attended a course organised by Parent Craft at Mater Dei Hospital conducted by Anna Schmidt. One of the sessions was dedicated for breastfeeding; where the lecturer made us aware about the benefits for the mothers who breastfeed babies. She encouraged the fathers to support the mother to breastfeed their baby for the sake of their health. By means of a convincing message she encouraged the fathers to support their wives to breastfeed.

On 19 November, 2011 we attended a seminar about breastfeeding organised by The Health Promotion & Disease Prevention Directorate. The attendance was a satisfactory one which shows that at present parents are interested in a more healthy life for their newborn children.

Dr Charmaine Gauci MD introduced the breastfeeding seminar and she said that it is in the government’s interest to promote more breastfeeding for healthy islands of Malta and Gozo. Later a certain Charlene Vassallo spoke about the reasons to breastfeed a newborn child. She said there are many benefits for both mother and child when a woman chooses to breastfeed. Another speech was followed by Louise Bugeja who advised all present to ignore all breastfeeding myths because they are all false. She made it clear that breast milk is custom-made to suit our newborn child. Afterwards, Helen Borg gave a talk about breastfeeding challenges. She assured mothers who find it difficult to deal with breastfeeding their babies to seek for a helping hand at the Breastfeeding Clinic at Mater Dei Hospital.

One of the speeches was made by Prof. Simon Attard Montalto who said that breastfeeding rates are increasing in Malta because in the past it was low. He added that breastfeeding babies strengthen their immunity so they become ill less. Afterwards, Pauline Fenech spoke about working and breastfeeding. She stated that it is important that employers support breastfeeding because breastfed babies are healthier and their mothers miss fewer days of work. In the last speech about weaning, Stephanie Mifsud said how and when to start weaning babies onto solid foods in a healthy way whilst still breastfeeding.

On Thursday 24 November, 2011 my wife gave birth to a baby boy and obviously she breastfed him after he was cleaned and medically tested. Few days later we went to the Breastfeeding Clinic; where my wife and myself felt secure because we found two dedicated midwives. But I have one complaint to share with you about the clinic. It is a very small room to welcome so many mothers with their babies. When we were there, four couples with their babies attended the clinic in 30 minutes. I was amazed how the two midwives served all of us with patience and dedication.

I conclude this letter by suggesting to the Minister of Health, Joe Cassar, to find another spacious room to be used as a breastfeeding clinic and of course to keep promoting breastfeeding amongst women.

■ Raymond Ambrogio

Msida