Breast-feeding still remains the best
Aug 02, 2005
YOU just need to walk to any of these super markets around town to appreciate the confusion our mothers are faced with. Convincing, tantalising and well displayed infant milk substitutes, infant foods and feeding bottles may make many consider weaning their children.
By Herbert Mugarura
YOU just need to walk to any of these super markets around town to appreciate the confusion our mothers are faced with. Convincing, tantalising and well displayed infant milk substitutes, infant foods and feeding bottles may make many consider weaning their children.
‘Modern’ girls are also increasingly opting to breast-feed briefly to maintain their breast youthfulness. Others want to justify it with the guise of reducing the child’s exposure to possible HIV from breast milk.
But in reality, inappropriate feeding practices contribute to high infant morbidity (disease incidence) and mortality. It may be necessary to regulate production, supply and distribution of infant milk substitutes, banning their advertisements with a view to promote breast-feeding and protect infants in our country.
Breast-feeding is the natural and ideal way of feeding the infant. It provides a unique biological and emotional basis for the healthy development of the child.
Breast-milk is the perfect food made for your baby. It is safe, clean and hygienic, readily available on demand whenever the baby is hungry. It has most of the essential elements in boosting immunity like antimicrobial factors such as macrophages, lymphocytes, secretory IgA, anti-streptococcal factor, lysozyme and lactoferrin, able to prevent gastro-intestinal and respiratory tract infections.
Breast-feeding can reduce the severity and frequency of diarrhoea. It is socially acceptable, free from contamination and has the right temperature. It hastens the involution of the uterus after delivery and prolongs the infertility period requiring no contraceptives.
Nutritionists advise exclusive breast-feeding till the child completes four months. And while other foods may be added, breast-feeding should continue well up to two years of age.
Working breast-feeding mothers are encouraged to take as much maternity leave as possible. They should establish good breast-feeding before returning to work and breast-feed more at night.
They should learn to express breast milk into a cup so that the caretaker can feed it to the baby with a spoon, not with a bottle.
YOU just need to walk to any of these super markets around town to appreciate the confusion our mothers are faced with. Convincing, tantalising and well displayed infant milk substitutes, infant foods and feeding bottles may make many consider weaning their children.
‘Modern’ girls are also increasingly opting to breast-feed briefly to maintain their breast youthfulness. Others want to justify it with the guise of reducing the child’s exposure to possible HIV from breast milk.
But in reality, inappropriate feeding practices contribute to high infant morbidity (disease incidence) and mortality. It may be necessary to regulate production, supply and distribution of infant milk substitutes, banning their advertisements with a view to promote breast-feeding and protect infants in our country.
Breast-feeding is the natural and ideal way of feeding the infant. It provides a unique biological and emotional basis for the healthy development of the child.
Breast-milk is the perfect food made for your baby. It is safe, clean and hygienic, readily available on demand whenever the baby is hungry. It has most of the essential elements in boosting immunity like antimicrobial factors such as macrophages, lymphocytes, secretory IgA, anti-streptococcal factor, lysozyme and lactoferrin, able to prevent gastro-intestinal and respiratory tract infections.
Breast-feeding can reduce the severity and frequency of diarrhoea. It is socially acceptable, free from contamination and has the right temperature. It hastens the involution of the uterus after delivery and prolongs the infertility period requiring no contraceptives.
Nutritionists advise exclusive breast-feeding till the child completes four months. And while other foods may be added, breast-feeding should continue well up to two years of age.
Working breast-feeding mothers are encouraged to take as much maternity leave as possible. They should establish good breast-feeding before returning to work and breast-feed more at night.
They should learn to express breast milk into a cup so that the caretaker can feed it to the baby with a spoon, not with a bottle.