Majority of mothers don't breast feed

Majority of mothers in urban centres and in the West Nile region do not exclusively breast feed their babies, this is according to the ongoing survey by the ministry of health (MOH)

The officials attributed the cause in West Nile to food insecurity while in urban centres it is because most of the mothers are working class who claim to be too busy yet others do not want their breasts to sag.

'Early initiation of breast feeding in West Nile stands at 27% compared to 53% country wide, however in Urban centres the trend is very low,' the head of Nutrition at the ministry of health  Jacent Asiimwe confirmed.

Speaking during a breast feeding meeting at Imperial Royale hotel Asiimwe encouraged mothers to continuously breast feed their babies, adding that the infant formula they give to babies should be the last alternative especially in situation where a mother has died.

'We do not know the quality of milk in terms of its safety and sometimes people do not follow the right instructions on the tin when they are mixing the formula,' she said.

The theme for this year is 'Breastfeeding, A key to Sustainable development'

In Uganda, 37% of mothers do not exclusively breastfeed their babies in the first six months, this increases the risk of illness of these infants, compromising their growth and raising the risk of death or disability.