Why breastfeeding is a mother’s gift for a baby
The early introduction of other fluids and mixed feeding results in high rates of diarrhoea and contributes to infant malnutrition and mortality.
To commemorate World Breastfeeding Week, the Gauteng MEC for Health and Wellness, Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko, encouraged women to continue breastfeeding their infants.
Working mothers with newborns and infants aged up to 24 months were encouraged to continue breastfeeding because breast milk is the optimal food source for babies and contains all the nutrition and antibodies they need to grow and have protection from illness.
Nkomo-Ralehoko made this call while interacting with mothers and their little ones as part of observing Breastfeeding Week from August 1 to 7.
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“The WHO and the National Department of Health recommend mothers start breastfeeding within an hour of birth and exclusively breastfeed for the first six months,” explained Nkomo-Ralehoko.
“The benefits of breastfeeding extend to the mother, too, because it lowers the risk of breast and ovarian cancers and osteoporosis. It also promotes bonding between mothers and their babies.”
