Some of the mothers and fathers who attended the breastfeeding awareness programme at Settlers Day Hospital in Makhanda on Thursday.
Luvuyo Mjekula reports in Grocott’s Mail on World Breastfeeding Week and the celebration of breastfeeding mothers, the acknowledgement of the diverse journeys of breastfeeding mothers and the important support they receive from families, communities, and health workers. This message was delivered by the global World Health Organisation (WHO), UNICEF, health ministries, concerned groups and civil society partners.
A breastfeeding awareness event was held in Makhanda on Thursday to mark the start of World Breastfeeding Week (1-7 August) which occurs annually in the first week of August, and the theme for this year is: ‘Closing the gap: Breastfeeding support for all’.
The event at Settlers Day Hospital was led by health professionals in Makhanda, and attended by mothers, grandmothers, fathers, and grandfathers. The South African Red Cross Society provided soup and bread.
Settlers Day Hospital manager Fundiswa Mzananda emphasised the importance of education on breastfeeding for mothers and its nutrients, and commended the hospital’s Mother-and-Child stream led by Thozama Onceya and Babalwa Noga-Pumane. The Integrated Nutrition Programme led by Phumla Hermans asked mothers to breastfeed at least for the first six weeks to provide essential nutrients to the infant baby and to store extra breastmilk in the fridge.
The team noted a global drop in breastfeeding and highlighted the benefits of breastmilk for protecting babies from illnesses. The team warned breastfeeding mothers of the health risks of alcohol, tobacco, and unsafe sex while breastfeeding.
This program included fathers and grandparents to emphasize the importance of their role in supporting breastfeeding mothers.
Photo: Luvuyo Mjekula
