Health authorities in Lugari Sub County have appealed to mothers to exclusively breastfeed their newborns for six months to guarantee their healthy growth and development.
The Sub County Medical Officer of Health, Winnie Keya and the Sub County Nutritionist, Oscar Juma, made the appeal during a sensitization forum for Mbagara, a mother-to-mother support group at Sipande Dispensary in Mautuma ward.
Keya said it is important for mothers to breastfeed their children for the recommended time frame and then feed them nutritiously for the first 1000 days to guard them against malnutrition and ensure they are physically and mentally healthy.
She said, “The first 1000 days are critical to a child’s growth. We are encouraging mothers to breastfeed their children. This will ensure the children get the necessary nutrients for growth and protection against diseases.”
Keya disclosed that the number of mothers breastfeeding their children continuously for six months in Lugari stands at 60 percent, which is still low and might be costly in future if action is not taken.
“The figure is still low. That is why we have mother-to-mother support groups where the mothers meet, share challenges and experiences with breastfeeding and encourage each other to breastfeed and feed their children appropriately.
Juma, who echoed Keya’s sentiments, said the breastfeeding sensitization activities they undertake in health facilities are not adequate, hence the formation of mother-to-mother support groups to cascade the trainings to the grass-roots level.
“Under the support groups, we also have the baby-friendly community initiative, whose main aim is to ensure mothers breastfeed continuously for six months without introducing any other food to their children.
“The initiative also focuses on ensuring the children are properly fed for six months after they are weaned off the mother’s milk.
“We have also brought on board pregnant women. We don’t want to wait until they give birth in order to educate them on the importance of breastfeeding.” He stated that their focus is to attain the 100 percent breastfeeding mark by next year.
Miriam Mika who is a member of the support group and a mother of twins, discouraged fellow mothers from rushing to wean their children before the six months elapsed.
Mika disclosed that she breastfed her infants for six months before introducing them to other foodstuffs, courtesy of knowledge she acquired from the group.
“I breastfed my boys for six months continuously and that is why they are healthy and not prone to diseases,” She stated.
By Melechezedeck Ejakait
