Zimpapers Logo

Flora Fadzai Sibanda

Bulawayo Bureau

FOR Ms Doris Ndlovu (23), who gave birth last week at Mpilo Central Hospital, breastfeeding her first baby is a way of bonding and creating lasting memories while also giving her a balanced diet.

The young woman said she will breastfeed for at least two years recognising the lifelong health and wellness benefits of breastfeeding.

According to World Health Organisation guidelines, breastfeeding protects babies against diarrhoea and common childhood illnesses such as pneumonia. It may also have longer-term health benefits for the mother and child, such as reducing the risk of overweight and obesity in childhood and adolescence.

The first week of August is World Breastfeeding Week, and each mother has a unique story. For some lucky women, it’s a breeze and for others, it feels like an insurmountable challenge.

World Breastfeeding Week is supported by WHO, UNICEF, the Ministry of Health and Child Care and other partners. This year it is being held under the theme: “Closing the gap: Breastfeeding support for all.”

The campaign celebrates breastfeeding mothers in all their diversity, throughout their breastfeeding journeys, while showcasing the ways families, societies, communities, and health workers can support breastfeeding mothers.

Ms Ndlovu said that given the benefits of breastfeeding and the support that she is getting from her family, she will breastfeed his baby until he is two years old.

“Besides the balanced diet that my breast milk has for my baby, it’s a beautiful way for us to strengthen our bond. I have no idea when I will stop, but for now, we both still love it,” she said.

Mrs Nomfundo Nkala, a mother of three, said breastfeeding her three-month-old baby, is also economic. Her second-born child did not breastfeed and relied on formula milk, which turned out to be costly.

“Besides saving money, l realised that babies who are breastfed become healthier and show signs of living healthy lives when comparing them with those fed with artificial milk. I breastfed my first child and he is stronger than the second one,” said Mrs Nkala.

Ms Gracious Shoko has been at Mpilo Central Hospital since June after giving birth prematurely said: “My baby was born prematurely and from there, l have been giving him breast milk through some tubes. It may not be exactly how everyone is doing it, but l feel it has helped my baby to grow and he has shown great improvement.”

Ms Shoko said every three hours she pumps milk for her baby. She said she is optimistic that her daughter would soon be ready to be breastfed naturally.

Sister Blessing Maphosa, a senior midwife at Mpilo Central Hospital’s antenatal clinic, said breastfeeding is important because it gives the baby a balanced diet.

The mother’s milk usually becomes readily available for the baby an hour after                                                                                               birth.

“We usually recommend our mothers to breastfeed for at least two years as that helps to keep the baby safe. Breastfeeding is advantageous as the milk is readily available, contains all the nutrients a baby needs and it is a way for the mother to bond,” said Sister Maphosa.

She said some mothers struggled to produce enough milk, and they always advise them to eat warm food and drink a lot of fluids.

Sister Maphosa said if a mother dies during birth a substitute can be selected by the family so that she can breastfeed the baby.

“Although this is not common and if the family decides to follow this route thorough screening of the woman selected should be done. This means the woman is tested for all kinds of diseases and usually families might prefer a woman who is a bit older and is no longer sexually active,” she said.