East Coast mothers recognised for Breastfeeding Week

Sep 23, 2018 News

The Regional Health Department of the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) Region Four held a breastfeeding event this past week in celebration of National Breastfeeding Week. The event which attracted some 30 mothers, runs from September 16 – 21. The event held under the theme, Breastfeeding Foundation of Life saw several health centres from the East Coast participating with a number of nurses from these health centres engaging the mothers in a number of interactive sessions.
A number of mothers drawn from several health centres on the East Coast were given an opportunity to have a nutrition talk while being treated to gifts compliments of the Food Policy Division of the Ministry of Public Health. During the celebrations the mothers were given an opportunity to ask several questions in an attempt to dispel and eradicate several myths regarding breast feeding. It also sought to encourage mothers to get actively involved in breastfeeding their children. As such, many persons attending the event were informed that breast is the best and that breastfeeding should be supported by all.
Among some of the issues that were addressed included the importance of skin to skin contact, as it enables bonding between mother and child. It allows for easier weight loss, decrease risk of illness which includes breast cancer, osteoporosis, haemorrhage, ovarian cancer, it also assist with birth control, pride, empowerment and fulfilment.
Participants were encouraged to ask questions as they were told about the many myths and misconceptions surrounding breastfeeding. It was reinforced further that breast feeding should commence at an early stage and that mothers should breastfeed their children for as long as the child wants the breast.
Dinte Conway Director of Food Policy Division within the Ministry of PublicHealth in her feature address noted that exclusive breastfeeding is one of the Ministry’s mandate adding that it is the one of the first guideline in the Food Based Dietary Guidelines that they launched recently at Health Expo 2018.
“When families have their babies and I say families because mothers alone can’t make babies, they are faced with several choices but we want breastfeeding to be their only choice once it’s possible,” she said.She stressed that breastmilk is the best for babies noting that it is the first nutrition for babies. “Breastmilk creates the best start, it gives the required amount, the bonding between mother and baby, prevents many disease including NCD’s, and it is baby’s first vaccine. So breastmilk is food, medicine and is eco-friendly as it entails zero packaging waste,” the Food Policy Division Director said.
She added, “By acting smart, we can steer clear of those breastfeeding threats.”
The mothers were treated to several cultural activities performed by the various nurses while some mothers also shared their experience of how breastfeeding have benefited them with several mothers reassuring others that the best choice any mother can make is to breastfeed their child. Dr. Ericka Kirton and Dr Anisah Yearwood stationed at the Regional Health Department both spoke at the event echoing similar sentiments of the importance of breastfeeding.
Meanwhile, Regional Executive Officer (REO), Ms Pauline Lucas, congratulated the Health Department and its staffers under Regional Health Officer (RHO) Dr Quincy Jones for what she said is a timely project. She noted that as a mother herself she has enjoyed breastfeeding her child, adding that while she has always been a working woman nothing beats breastfeeding.
At the end of the event the mithers were resented with gifts compliments of the Food Policy Division, while they were urge to spread the message of breastfeeding to their respective communities.

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East Coast mothers recognised for Breastfeeding Week

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