Bushenyi health officials call for breastfeeding-friendly workplaces
Speaking to New Vision, Bushenyi district nutrition focal person Nancy Nyamweya said many mothers return to work before their babies are six months old, making it difficult to follow the Ministry of Health's recommendation on exclusive breastfeeding.
Bushenyi health officials call for breastfeeding-friendly workplaces
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Health officials in Bushenyi district have called on employers to establish breastfeeding-friendly workplaces, saying the absence of breastfeeding corners is preventing many working mothers from exclusively breastfeeding their babies during the first six months of life.
The appeal comes as Uganda joins the rest of the world in commemorating World Breastfeeding Week, observed annually from August 1 to 7 to raise awareness about the importance of breastfeeding and mobilise support for mothers, babies, families and communities.
Working mothers face challenges
Speaking to New Vision, Bushenyi district nutrition focal person Nancy Nyamweya said many mothers return to work before their babies are six months old, making it difficult to follow the Ministry of Health's recommendation on exclusive breastfeeding.
"Many mothers are willing to exclusively breastfeed their babies, but the challenge is that most workplaces do not have breastfeeding corners. Without such facilities, mothers are forced to interrupt breastfeeding, which affects both the mother and the baby," Nyamweya said.
She said breastfeeding-friendly workplaces would enable mothers to continue breastfeeding even after resuming work, helping to improve children's health and nutrition.
Importance of exclusive breastfeeding
"Exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months is one of the most effective ways of ensuring children grow healthy. After six months, mothers should introduce safe and nutritious complementary foods while continuing to breastfeed until the child reaches two years or beyond," she said.
She added that breastfeeding protects babies against common childhood illnesses, strengthens their immunity, promotes healthy growth and development, and reduces the risk of malnutrition.
Employers urged to support mothers
Nyamweya appealed to employers in both the public and private sectors to establish breastfeeding corners and adopt policies that support nursing mothers.
"Providing breastfeeding corners is not a luxury. It is an investment in the health and future of our children.
Employers should create a supportive environment that enables mothers to breastfeed or express breast milk during working hours," she said.
Aheebwa Mary, a teacher at Kajunju Primary School in Bushenyi district and the mother of a four-month-old baby, said many working mothers struggle to exclusively breastfeed because of their work schedules.
"We leave our babies at home early in the morning and return late in the evening. This makes exclusive breastfeeding difficult. I appeal to employers to create breastfeeding-friendly workplaces and give nursing mothers enough time to breastfeed because it is important for the child's growth and development," she said.
She added that greater support from employers would enable mothers to continue breastfeeding while fulfilling their responsibilities at work.
Global campaign
World Breastfeeding Week is commemorated every year from August 1 to 7 by governments, health institutions and communities worldwide to promote breastfeeding and improve maternal and child health.
According to the Ministry of Health and the World Health Organisation, infants should be exclusively breastfed for the first six months of life, after which they should receive appropriate complementary foods while breastfeeding continues up to two years of age or beyond.
This year's World Breastfeeding Week theme, "Breastfeeding for a Sustainable Start in Life, Strengthen What Works," highlights the need to build on proven strategies that support breastfeeding and calls on governments, employers, health workers, families and communities to strengthen the support mothers need to breastfeed successfully.
Health officials say improving breastfeeding outcomes will require collective efforts from employers, families, communities and policymakers to ensure that every mother receives the support she needs to breastfeed successfully.