​Lovey Mogapi

Babies
who are breastfed exclusively for the first six months without any formula have
fewer ear infections, respiratory illnesses, and bouts of diarrhoea, that’s
according to Steve Biko Academic Hospital nurse, Sister Knoetze.”

 


Sister
Knoetze gave this advice to community members and hospital staff as part of World
Breastfeeding Week, which is observed annually from the 1-7 August each
year.  The Steve Biko Academic Hospital
commemorated the breastfeeding week on 16 August 2019 with an aim to encourage
the importance of breastfeeding for the first six months for both mom and baby.


 


“Breast
milk provides ideal nutrition for infants. It has a mixture of vitamins,
protein, and fat, everything a baby needs to grow, and it's all provided in a
form more easily digested than infant formula,” sister Knoetze.


 


She
added that:  “Breast milk contains
antibodies that help a baby fight off viruses and bacteria; it decreases a
baby's risk of having asthma or allergies. Also, babies who are breastfed
exclusively for the first six months, without any formula, have fewer ear
infections, respiratory illnesses, and bouts of diarrhoea.” 


 


Furthermore,
breastfeeding protects mother from breast and uterine cancer, diabetes and
postpartum depression. Breastfeeding also protects infants from obesity-related
illnesses, diabetes and increases the IQ.  


 


World
Breastfeeding Week is commemorates the Innocenti Declaration signed in August
1990 by government policymakers, World Health Organisation (WHO), United
Nations Children Fund, and other organisations to protect, promote and support
breastfeeding. 


 


According
WHO Breastfeeding promotes better health for mothers and children alike. “Increasing
breastfeeding to near-universal levels could save more than 800 000 lives every
year, the majority being children under six months. Breastfeeding decreases the
risk of mothers developing breast cancer, ovarian cancer, type 2 diabetes, and
heart disease. It is estimated that increased breastfeeding could avert 20 000
maternal deaths each year due to breast cancer,” says WHO.


 


WHO
recommends exclusive breastfeeding starting within one hour after birth until a
baby is six months old. Nutritious complementary foods should then be added
while continuing to breastfeed for up to 2 years or beyond.