GPHC to observe breastfeeding week from today

Sep 18, 2016 News

The Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) will be observing International Breast Feeding Week from today as the institution aims to intensify its focus on educating mothers on the importance of breast feeding.
The event will commence with a walk around 07:00 hrs today from Vlissengen Road to Lamaha Street and to the Maternity Unit tarmac.
During the one week, health workers will be advising mothers on a number of issues that affect pregnancy and aids in a safe delivery.
Last year, a mini fair was held at the hospital which showcased a variety of foods that a pregnant woman should eat.
Breastfeeding Coordinator at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), Marjorie Arjune, had explained that on a daily basis, doctors and nurses would see patients who are anemic and are unaware of what types of food they should consume.
”When you are anemic and you go into the delivery room, you bleed a lot but when you eat the right food, everything will be okay. During our daily clinic, we advise the mothers a lot… only some of them do listen,” Arjune said.
She added that once a mother eats healthy, the possibility of delivering a healthy baby increases.
”Once she delivers the baby, it is time to breastfeed the child. Through exclusive breastfeeding, at least 20 percent of our babies born can be saved globally,” the Breastfeeding Coordinator said.
She added that numerous studies from around the world have shown that stomach viruses, lower respiratory illnesses and ear infections occur less often in breastfed babies and are less severe when it happens.
According to Arjune, breastfeeding protect babies from a long list of illnesses, boost the child’s intelligence, may protect from obesity, can reduce the mother’s stress level and her risk of postpartum depression and may reduce her risk of some types of cancer.
She said that the (breast) milk changes in volume and composition according to the time of day, nursing frequency, and age of baby to promote healthy growth. It is the perfect food for babies.
Breastfeeding may also help children avoid a host of diseases that strike later in life, such as types 1 and 2 diabetes, high cholesterol, and inflammatory bowel disease.
Babies who are fed a formula based on cow’s milk or soy tend to have more allergic reactions than breastfed babies.

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