West Akyem Municipal Health Directorate in the Eastern Region has launched World Breastfeeding Week Celebration on the theme “Enabling breastfeeding: making a difference for working parents.”
The celebration is expected to be held in ten sub-Districts in the Municipality until 31st August 2023 with public education and weighing of new born babies and other activities that will encourage Parents to adopt six months exclusive Breastfeeding.
World Breastfeeding Week is held in the first week of August every year, supported by WHO, UNICEF and many Ministries of Health and civil society partners.
Addressing Nursing Mothers in Asamankese during the launch, Public Health Nurse at the Municipal Health Directorate, Madam Elizabeth Mensah revealed that healthiest babies are those that have been exclusively breastfed and
known to considerably decrease infant mortality on account of common childhood illnesses.
According to her, Continued breastfeeding also pauses ovulation and menstruation and the suspension of menstrual cycles will actually be nature’s way of ensuring there’s some time between pregnancies.
She said Breast milk is loaded with antibodies that help the baby fight off viruses and bacteria, which is critical in those tender, early months, particularly applies to colostrum, the first milk. Colostrum provides high amounts of immunoglobulin A (IgA), as well as several other antibodies.
Six Nursing Mothers were giving awards for Participating in the launching on time and answering questions on exclusive Breastfeeding, and about 130 mothers were at the launch.
Nurses took them through the health benefits to exclusively breastfeed their kids in the first six months and best way to position kids while breastfeeding.
The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends breastfeeding until two years old or longer and recommend starting as early as one hour after birth for the biggest benefits.
Source:Mybrytfmonline/Mensah Atakora
