The month of August has been dedicated to creating awareness on the importance of exclusive breastfeeding amongst nursing mothers.
This year’s awareness creation is under the theme; ‘Step up Breast Feeding: Educate and Support.’
World Breast Feeding 2022 focuses on strengthening the capacity of actors that have to protect, promote and support breastfeeding across different levels of society.
It is on this note that, the Effia Kwesimintsim Municipal Health Directorate is creating awareness of the importance of giving breast milk to newly born babies before introducing solid foods to them.
Speaking to the media, the Health Promotional Officer, Madam Agartha Entsie advised nursing mothers to desist from feeding their babies with canned foods and stick only to breastfeeding.
She argued that breast milk contains antibodies which protect babies from diseases and enhance the growth of the baby.
” The theme for this year’s campaign is’ step up’ educate and support. We are educating lactating mothers on the importance of breast milk to the baby. The nutrients in breastmilk cannot be compared to any baby food. The breast milk contains colostrum which helps in a child’s growth,” She said.
Madam Agartha Entsie also called on families to support breastfeeding mothers to adhere to the proper breastfeeding plans administered by health workers.
” Lactating mothers are to solely give breastmilk to their babies for the first six months. Babies who are fed differently look unhealthy all the time. We have noticed that family and friends do not support mothers to adhere to the proper breastfeeding,” She added.
