Online Reporter
Robin Muchetu, Health and Gender Editor
ZIMBABWE commemorated World Breastfeeding Week from 1 to 7 August highlighting the importance of exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life and up to two years, with strong calls for nursing mothers not to use milk formula.
Milk formula has been frowned upon by health professionals who have always argued that breast milk is superior in quality, readily available, hygienic and has a high nutritional value.
Ministry of Health and Child Care Bulawayo Provincial nutritionist Annie Msauki-Busumani notes that exclusive breastfeeding is the only recommended advice regarding new-borns and must be adhered to.
“With exclusive breastfeeding, we are saying we are not supposed to give children anything besides breast milk from 0-6 months. I know at one-point ogogo would give babies cooking oil, but we are saying no to cooking oil, water or other foods at this stage. The baby will survive with just milk,” said Mrs -Msauki-Busumani.
While maternity leave is a few months for many, employers have been encouraged to support breastfeeding mothers
“Let us support these mothers who are working and breastfeeding, even those that are not in work, day and night. Mothers must breastfeed throughout the night too and also on demand, as the baby wants,” she said.
Speaking at the day’s commemorations at Mpilo Central Hospital, Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister Judith Ncube, highlighted the importance of exclusive breastfeeding.
“Breastfeeding is more than feeding a child. It is the foundation of life, health and human development. Breast milk is the first food, the first vaccine and the first expression of love a mother gives her child. The evidence is clear.
Exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months and continued breastfeeding up to two years and beyond, gives children the best start in life. It protects babies from diarrhoea, pneumonia and malnutrition. It also reduces the risk of non-communicable diseases later in life. For mothers, breastfeeding reduces the risk of breast and ovarian cancer and supports healthy child spacing,” she said.
She noted that Zimbabwe has made progress with surveys showing that exclusive breastfeeding rates are improving but highlighted that the country still has a lot of work to do regarding increasing exclusive breastfeeding
Many mothers face challenges to achieve this.
“They have limited information, inadequate support at home and at work and persistent myths and misconceptions. This is why this week matters. Supporting breastfeeding is supporting the future of our nation.
This year’s theme is: “Breastfeeding for a Sustainable Start in Life: Strengthen What Works”
“For us here in Bulawayo Province, this means all of us have a role to play. To Government and
Health Workers: We must ensure every health facility is “baby friendly.”
Every mother must receive skilled counselling within the first hour of birth and ongoing support.
We must also protect and enforce the Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes so that mothers are not misled,” she added.
Employers have been called upon to create breastfeeding-friendly workplaces. This means adequate maternity leave, breastfeeding breaks and safe, clean spaces for mothers to express and store breast milk.
The Minister said supporting a breastfeeding mother at work is supporting productivity and a healthy future workforce.
She called on fathers, grandmothers and families to remember that breastfeeding is not a woman’s job alone.
“Fathers, support your partners with household work and encouragement and defend a mother’s right to breastfeed in public. Grandmothers, we need your wisdom to promote safe and modern breastfeeding practices.
To communities and leaders: Let us break the stigma. Let us normalise breastfeeding. No mother should be ashamed of breastfeeding her child. Let us use our churches, schools and community platforms to share correct information,” said Minister Ncube.
Development partners and Non-Governmental Organisations also play a leading role by supporting the Ministry of Health and Child Care initiatives through mama kits, educational materials and technical assistance that is making a real difference.
Through partnerships the Government has managed to reach a good number of women who breastfeed exclusively.
The health of children today determines the strength of the nation tomorrow. A well-nourished child becomes a well-educated child, a productive adult and a proud Zimbabwean.
