SSSD celebrates World Adoption Day

This initiative was organised by the Department’s Foster Care Services Centre and took place at the Sharjah Research, Technology, and Innovation Park.

The event brought together many foster families to discuss the positive impact of breastfeeding on fostered children, emphasising the importance of bonding and enhancing the children’s psychological health. 

During the event, the attendees recounted their personal experiences.

The importance of breastfeeding by foster mothers emerged as a key topic, particularly due to its vital role in developing legal kinship for children under the age of two. 

Dr. Sundus Al Ajram, a specialist in breastfeeding and a dedicated volunteer with the Breastfeeding Association of the Supreme Council for Family Affairs, highlighted the significant health and developmental advantages of breastfeeding. She stressed its importance in decreasing childhood diseases and fostering both mental and physical development.

Dr. Al-Ajram highlighted breastfeeding as a powerful bonding tool, benefiting not only biological mothers but also foster mothers caring for children who need social support. She emphasized its positive effects on the health, psychological, and social well-being of fostered children.

In his presentation, “The Psychological Impact of Breastfeeding on Foster Child and Caregiver Bonding,” Dr. Sharif Abu Shadi, Knowledge Consultant at the Social Services Department, discussed how breastfeeding fosters a strong emotional connection between foster mothers and children. He noted that children who are breastfed often show improved self-esteem, enhanced social adaptability, and a more solid foundation for future relationships. Research indicates that these early bonding experiences can have a lasting positive impact on children’s behavior and social interactions throughout their lives.