Under the patronage of Mrs. Linda Baroud, the founder of Mommy's Best NGO, a gala dinner was organized by breastfeeding counselor Mrs. Nadiya Dragan ElChiti, activists and parents to celebrate the healthy and beneficial act of breastfeeding on March 15, 2014 at Monroe Hotel, Beirut.
Breastfeeding supporters and promoters from non-governmental organizations, medical professionals, parents and children participated in this unique event in Lebanon, which raised awareness about breastfeeding and encouraged new supporters at the same time.
Program
The introductory speech of Mrs. Nadiya Dragan ElChiti, addressing around 200 guests, gave highlights on the importance of the event and shared some personal experiences from her professional life as a leader at the international organization "La Leche League International", helping mothers in Lebanon to breastfeed through mother-to-mother support, encouragement, information, and education.
Mrs. Linda Baroud, the guest of honor and wife of former minister Mr. Ziad Baroud, who was also present at the dinner supporting the cause, congratulated everyone for the wonderful accomplishments in promoting breastfeeding. Mrs. Baroud also shared her own experience with breastfeeding and was very pleased that women in Lebanon are becoming more aware of the health benefits related to it. She also gave recognition to people and organizations working to promote breastfeeding through campaigns, trainings, social media and personal help.
Mrs. Reine Abbas, a VIP guest and the founder of Wixel Studios, is one of the 100 World's Most Powerful Arab Women according to Arabian Business publication. She shared her outstanding journey in breastfeeding as a working mother with the audience.
Afterwards, a panel of about 15 breastfeeding mothers and a supportive father shared their success stories showing how breastfeeding can be achieved against all the odds and challenges including travel, overproduction of milk and work conditions with focus on how lactation consultants assisted those mothers to breastfeed exclusively.
Dr. Ali Al Zein, president of Lebanese Association for Early Childhood Development (LAECD), also explained how breastfeeding is an important element in the healthy development of the baby and mother.
Dr. Mona Nabulsi, researcher from the American University of Beirut, informed the audience about the current research updates on breastfeeding, including a study that aims to support breastfeeding amongst Lebanese mothers.
Mrs. Linda Shaker Berbari, IOCC country representative introduced NGOs promoting and protecting breastfeeding in Lebanon, including LACTICA, which is a new NGO doing a lot of work to promote breastfeeding in Lebanon. Mrs. Sara Luis Hanan, from LACTICA highlighted LACTICA's work on breastfeeding including awareness, individual mother support, increasing visibility and monitoring the violations of the law and the code.
Ms. Tamara Brand, Breastfeeding consultant and another leader at "La Leche League International", also talked about her own personal experience in helping Lebanese mothers apply best IYCF practices.
Ms. Bahia El Moufti, lactation consultant, also addressed the audience on importance of breastfeeding and different ways of overcoming breastfeeding problems including relactation methods and tools.
A special surprise for the audience was a gift for the Gala from Mrs. Leila Kanaan, the famous director in Lebanon, displaying her own portrait where she is proudly breastfeeding her 9 month old daughter Sofia. Portrait available at: http://aishtiblog.com/future-leila/.
Afterwards, Mrs. Sandra Nasrallah from the International Committee of Red Cross (ICRC) addressed parental bonding and the importance of the attachment between mothers and children that breastfeeding creates.
Ms. Nisrine Kreimaty, certified lactation consultant, introduced the International Board Certified Lactation Consultants (IBCLC) and talked about the means to get official certification for those who are interested.
The dinner ended with a raffle that involved all the participants and brought many gifts for the audience.
Soul Spa, Le Chat and Dent De Lait were the main sponsors of the event. IOCC, Hypnobirthing with Duna, Ninatitude Photography, Vikky events, SPIN, Yalla! Babywear, Surfels, Kamashta Photography, were in-kind sponsors of the Gala. Nolte Kutchen, WISE, Little Gym, Hypnobirthing with Duna, Cookie Dough, Oh! Happy Days, Kinder Music House, My Doll & Me, Yalla! Babywear, Ninatitude Photography were only some of the many contributors for the raffle during the Gala.
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