Breast feeding specialist shares important insights on feeding your baby ‘liquid gold’

Proud mums and mums-to-be received some valuable tips and strong reminders about the importance of breastfeeding at the recent moms and babies support group at Linc church coffee shop on Monday.

The weekly get-together is an opportunity for women to share their journey of motherhood, while receiving insightful information from local professionally trained birth and baby supporters.

This week’s guest speaker was lactation consultant Penny Reimers (PHD in breastfeeding), who brought to light just how important it is to feed your bundle of joy ‘liquid gold’.

Penny, who is passionate about breastfeeding and its benefits, is a nurse and midwife who has worked in the department of child health and pediatrics at UKZN for many years on projects and research relating to breastfeeding and milk-banking.

“Breastmilk cannot be replicated and has an ideal balance of nutrients which are easily digested,” said Reimers.

“Incredibly, breastmilk changes to meet the changing needs of the growing child.”

Babies who are breastfed receive a healthy balance of antibodies, hormones, enzymes, minerals, vitamins and protein, whereas babies on formula receive very little of this.

Apart from benefiting from all the healthy goodness that makes up breastmilk, babies who breastfeed from the moment they are born are also exposed to additional benefits, such as the power of skin-to-skin contact.

“When healthy infants are placed skin-to-skin on their mother’s abdomen and chest immediately after birth, they exhibit remarkable capabilities,” said Reimers.

“They are less stressed and experience steadier breathing and heart rates.”

Moms listened in amazement as Penny touched on how to best prepare both yourself and your baby when breastfeeding, so as to avoid being in discomfort and to ensure your child receives all the milk they can get.

She also shared the positive effects of encouraging HIV moms to breastfeed, which was sparked during her time at iThemba Lethu.

“The health and well-being of these little babies improves significantly after receiving breastmilk.

“You cannot believe the miracles we saw before our eyes.”

The moms and babies support group meets every Monday from 9am – 11am at the Linc church coffee shop, at no charge.

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