For the best start in life – Philips AVENT Breastfeeding & Child Nutrition Conference 1>

Dubai, UAE: For the 4th year running, Philips AVENT, in corporation with Al Qadi Pharmacy, will host a breastfeeding and early child nutrition forum for both mums, ‘mums-to-be’ and healthcare professionals in the UAE. The conferences will take place in both Abu Dhabi and Dubai, and are 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 is why Philips AVENT continues to invest heavily in creating dialog between gynaecologists, midwives, breastfeeding advisors, nursing professionals, neonatologists and paediatricians in order to support mothers’ best choices.

“Philips AVENT is delighted that our products are loved by both mums and babies across the globe. However, we are about more than just products. We are a promise and commitment to mothers all over the world who depend and rely on our expert advice to help reassure and support mothers’ best choices, from pregnancy to playground. The mission of the Breastfeeding & Child Nutrition Conference is to allow mum’s to make an informed choice when it comes to infant or child nutrition so that they can give their children the best possible start in life,” says Caroline Rainsford, marketing director of Philips Consumer Lifestyle, Middle East and Africa.

Philips AVENT are conducting two forums, one in Abu Dhabi at the Beach Rotana Hotel on 28th May 2012 and one in Dubai at its new venue at the Habtoor Grand Hotel on the 30th May 2012.

During the morning session, mums and ‘mums-to-be’ will be participating in breastfeeding and weaning educational classes. These classes will be run by a midwife educator and experts in the fields of Paediatrics, Infantology and nutrition, and will help mothers to overcome any challenges or fears they may have with regards to breastfeeding and weaning. New for this year will be a ‘Meet the Midwife’ initiative where mums and ‘mums-to-be’ will be able to have one-on-one conversations with midwives about any concerns they may have with regards to breastfeeding or child nutrition.

“My advice to new mothers is that they should breastfeed because they believe in the benefits and want to, not because society says they should. Learning to understand your baby is the key to success in breastfeeding and watching them for signs of contentment, will let you know how well you are doing,” says Cecile de Scally, who is a Midwife Educator with more than 15 years experience in antenatal and postnatal support and education, and longstanding speaker at the Philips AVENT conference.

The session for mums and ‘mothers to be’ will start at 8.30am with morning coffee and a complimentary refreshment break will be hosted by Philips AVENT mid-morning. There will also be a crèche and a private breastfeeding area.

The afternoon session is CME accredited for Healthcare Professionals and will start at 1pm with coffee and refreshments followed by presentations on the latest research and developments in breastfeeding and nutrition from across the world.

The chair of the afternoon session will be Dr. Mohamad Miqdady who is the Director of Nutrition Services at the Sheikh Khalifa Medical City in Abu Dhabi. Also speaking will be Dr. Wail A. Hayajneh who is the Chairman and Associate Professor of Pediatric Infectious Diseases at the Jordan University of Science and Technology in Irbid, Jordan. Dr. Hayajneh has been published extensively in peer-reviewed journals, including recent papers in BMC Research Notes, the Journal of Medical Virology, Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition and Vaccine.

Topics to be discussed include the role of micro-nutrients, the role of globalization and vaccines, as well as a panel session where the audience can ask questions with regards to infant nutrition and local breastfeeding practices.

For more information about attending the ‘free-of-charge’ Philips AVENT Breastfeeding & Child Nutrition Conference please visit www.motherbaby.ae.

-END-

For media enquiries please contact:
Inga Stevens
PR & Social Media Manager
Life Science Division
Informa Exhibitions
T: +971 4 407 2743
F: +971 4 336 4021
inga.stevens@informa.com