Protecting infant health and promoting breastfeeding

In a world where women have been vilified for breastfeeding their babies in public and been body shamed for what their breasts look like after breastfeeding, initiatives like World Breastfeeding Week are a very necessary activity, especially during Women’s Month.

World Breastfeeding Week takes place every year in August in a bid to encourage breastfeeding and promote the health of babies around the world.

Netcare Pinehaven is one of the hospitals that supports this initiative and encourages new mothers to breastfeed.

“Netcare Pinehaven is here to help new moms learn how to give their baby the best possible start in life and to manage breastfeeding in their busy lives, because breastfeeding really does make all the difference in the world,” said Sister Anne Standing, unit manager of the maternity and labour ward.

Anne agrees that breastfeeding your little one is a personal choice, but emphasises that it is also the healthiest choice, and unfortunately, not all women know how to exercise that choice.

“Mothers have to learn how to breastfeed, as it can be difficult. Most women experience nipple pain and many fear that they will not be able to sustain an adequate milk supply. It is therefore of the utmost importance that health facilities support breastfeeding training and offer counselling to new mothers,” she told the News.

In celebration of World Breastfeeding Day, Netcare Pinehaven is inviting new and expectant mothers to a breastfeeding workshop to be held in the hospital’s maternity ward foyer on Wednesday, 24 August at 10am.

“If you have a little baby and are in need of some good advice, or if you are an expectant mother who would like to empower yourself with some valuable knowledge ahead of your confinement, please take this opportunity to come and talk to us,” said Anne.

Anne assured us that new and expectant mothers will be given good advice during the breastfeeding awareness event.

For more information, contact the client liaison officer, Safiyya Mohamed on 011 950 54 86.

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