Agbonlahor Felicia(TQM Correspondent, Benin)
Edo State begins the commemoration to Mark this year’s World Breastfeeding Week with safe health tips on proper breastfeeding.
The event which was held at the State Sickle Cell Centre Immunization Unit featured lots of health talk on proper ways and positions of breastfedding.
Speaking at the event, the State Nutrition Officer, Mrs Amenze Phil- Imade noted that this year’s Theme for World Breastfeeding Week; “Step Up for Breastfeeding—Educate and Support,” is needed more than ever to reduce rising cases of malnutrition in children.
As the Edo State Primary Healthcare Development Agency (EDSPHCDA) join’s the rest of the world to commemorate this year’s World Breastfeeding Week (WBW), the State Health Educator (EDSPHCDA), Mrs. Irene Uabor admonished that breastfeeding mothers should not be left alone in the process.
Mrs. Uabor gave the admonition during the event held at the State Sickle Cell Centre to mark this year’s world breastfeeding week.She noted that, breastfeeding mothers requires encouragement and support from skilled counsellors, family members and healthcare providers so as to enable the babies grow healthy.
Also speaking at the event, the Project Manager, State Emergency Maternal and Child Health Intervention Centre(SEMCHIC), Mrs Halim Christy emphasized that breastmilk is the right of every baby. Stressing that breastfeeding must be initiated early immediately after birth before separation of the placenta.
According to Mrs. Halim, babies should be breastfed for at least 24 months to help in the development of child’s brain.
Speaking on the proper ways of breastfeeding, the Senior Matron at the State Sickle Cell Centre, immunization Unit, Mrs Ehiwe encouraged health workers to advise mothers to put babies to breast immediately after birth even in cases of caesarean births.
Stressing that There is no reason babies should not get the first food necessary for development and survival as long the mother is alive and well.
Mrs. Ehiwe encouraged mothers to exclusively breastfeed their babies. Adding that, breastfeeding promotes babies healthy weight and also saves time and money.She further added that from 6 months after birth, mothers and caregivers should introduce babies to the family diet.
After the health talk, babies were given their routine immunization and mothers were urged to spread the message ” on the importance of breastfeeding” as it could reduce the rising cases of malnutrition in children.
