World Breastfeeding Week is commemorated yearly from 1 to 7 August to promote and support breastfeeding at organisational, community and individual levels. The theme for this year is “Protect Breastfeeding: A Shared Responsibility”.
Nokubonga Mchunu, Dannhauser CHC dietician, says that there is an emphasis for recognising that breastfeeding is a public health issue that requires investment across all levels. “As South Africa is in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic and at risk of food insecurity post-disruption of food supply networks and economic downturn, breastfeeding provides irreplaceable nutrition for children’s growth and development. It also provides protection from diseases of lifestyle resulting from malnutrition. So breastfeeding from birth remains a good strategy in improving health, nutrition and the development of babies,” explains Mchunu. She emphasises that although breastfeeding is a mother’s choice, it cannot be sustained without the support of the health sector and community at large.
“Acknowledging this fact, the Department of Health partakes in creating awareness and supporting breastfeeding. Protecting breastfeeding will be more effective when each of us knows our roles in shielding and anchoring this valuable practice. Apart from the health workers; communities, families, fathers and mothers also have an important role to play in protecting breastfeeding,” says Mchunu. She further explains that a mother’s role would be to discuss her breastfeeding decision with a partner or family before the baby is born and also to inform a healthcare worker of any challenges encountered during breastfeeding. “When returning to work, learn how to express breast milk and learn proper storage of breast milk. This can be done a few weeks prior to returning to work. This also allows that if a mother should test positive for Covid-19, she may continue to breastfeed under extreme hygiene adherence,” she says. She encourages the community to respect a mother’s choice to breastfeed and for public areas like shopping malls and churches to identify designated spaces for breastfeeding, similar to baby-changing stations.
