Mampe Marapyane and Teboho Matshatsha
​
In commemoration of Breastfeeding Week (1 to 7 August 
2019), Thelle Mogoerane Regional Hospital hosted an awareness event to educate 
pregnant women and mothers about the importance of breastfeeding 
recently.     
Under the theme “Empower Parents, Enable 
Breastfeeding”, the event was aimed at encouraging early breastfeeding and 
improving the health of babies.  
Highlighting the significance of the campaign, 
hospital’s dietician Dineo Nelushi said; “Breastmilk is the best food for babies 
because it has all the nutrients that the baby needs.”.
“We encourage mothers to eat healthy during pregnancy 
and after giving birth because breast milk has antibodies that can prevent 
infections.  Breastfed kids are less likely to suffer from 
constipation, diarrhoea and vomiting because breastfed milk is easily digestible 
unless the baby has other conditions which are not related to breastfeeding”, 
added Nelushi.
She further stated that breast milk is free and 
contains colostrum, which helps protect a baby from illnesses. It is a complete 
food and contains the amount of water the baby needs during this period. 
Nelushi also advised against feeding babies other 
fluids or foods as they may cause serious infections. 
 
“We urge mothers to breastfeed their babies for the 
first 6 months exclusively without giving them anything at all, unless if there 
are any medical conditions that require a baby to eat anything else besides 
breastmilk”, she continued.
The dietician also stated that 
breastfeeding directly after birth helps to reduce bleeding from the uterus and 
while they often experience hormonal changes during lactation that delay their 
menstrual periods, breastfeeding reduces the exposure to hormones like estrogen, 
which can promote breast cancer cell growth. 
For mother of three, Lerato Mawela, 
breastfeeding has always been her champion choice as it always increases 
her bond with her babies.
Mawela (34) further said; “I breastfeed my baby 
because it is free, safe and a 100% safe for my baby.  Another 
positive with breastmilk is that it helps the baby develop and keeps the baby at 
the right weight.”