Support breastfeeding for a healthier South Africa

Vryheid Hospital recently celebrated World Breastfeeding Week, which is held across South Africa from August 1 to 7 every year. This is a time when awareness and hype is created about breast-milk, breastfeeding and how it helps babies survive, grow and thrive.
Breast-milk and breastfeeding gives babies all the nutrients they need to grow and develop during the first six months of life. Because of this, mothers are encouraged to breastfeed their babies exclusively for the first six months and should be given enough support throughout the period of breastfeeding.
Once the baby is six months old, then other appropriate foods should be started (complementary feeding) while breastfeeding continues. Breastfeeding and breast-milk feeding meets the child’s energy requirements; nutritional and nurturing needs of the growing and developing infant.
South Africa has committed itself to the promotion, protection and support of breastfeeding and the achievement of the 2025 sustainable development goal. The target for breastfeeding is 50% of all infants exclusively breastfed until six months of age. Exclusive breastfeeding means that the baby receives only breast-milk and no other liquids or solid foods.

Also read: Why it’s important to get your baby vaccinated

Promotion, protection and support of breastfeeding is a smart investment in ensuring a healthy, equitable and sustainable future.
Currently, South Africa and the world are in the grip of the Covid-19 pandemic. The coronavirus disease has increased the risk of malnutrition among many children. This is due to food insecurity resulting from the economic downturn and disruption of food supply networks. Within this context, breastfeeding and breast-milk feeding remains a source of food security for newborns and children younger than five years old, and mothers are encouraged to continue with breastfeeding during this time.
The WHO (World Health Organization) recommends that mothers confirmed or suspected to have Covid-19 should protect their babies’ health by wearing a mask, washing their hands, wiping and sanitizing surfaces AND BREASTFEEDING their babies.
This year, the South African theme for Breastfeeding Week was ‘Support Breastfeeding for a Healthier South Africa’. The South African theme focuses on supporting breastfeeding to enable a healthier South Africa while getting through the food insecurity and financial instability within the country.
Therefore, Vryheid Hospital dietitians are urging everyone to celebrate with them this week, and promote and support breastfeeding.
For more information, contact Vryheid Hospital on 034-982-2111 or your local clinic.

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