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Exclusive breastfeeding remains a challenge in Zimbabwe and has contributed to child malnourishment, stunted growth and high child mortality.
According to the Multpile Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) 2014, only 41 percent of Zimbabwean women practise exclusive breastfeeding.
The survey also reveals that only one in three babies is exclusively breastfed in their first six months of life. The low uptake of exclusive breastfeeding has been attributed to societal, cultural and religious beliefs of lactating mothers.
The Minister of Health and Child Care, Dr David Parirenyatwa, said the low rate of exclusive breastfeeding was a cause for concern as Government sought to improve the health of children. “The Government and the society are obligated to create favourable conditions and to remove obstacles to breastfeeding, including all forms of promotion of breast milk substitutes, bottles and teats,” he said.
The major challenge to exclusive breastfeeding is that lactating mothers often mix breastfeeding with supplementary foods. This is usually the case as most mothers go to work leaving their babies with child-minders.
Dr Parirenyatwa challenged employers to develop mother-friendly environments to promote breastfeeding breaks.
Unicef country representative Mr Reza Hossaini said there was need to discourage supplementary foods.
“While we acknowledge that mixed feeding is something communities have practised for decades, we need to continuously discourage the practice if we are to protect babies from diseases, chronic malnutrition and death,” said Mr Hossaini.
Breastfeeding supports infants’ immune systems and helps protect them from chronic conditions later in life, such as obesity and diabetes.
Online Reporter