By Godfred Aaneamenga Polkuu
Bolgatanga, Aug. 6, GNA – The Upper East Regional Hospital (UERH) has stepped up its public education on the importance of breastfeeding, as part of activities to mark this year’s World Breastfeeding Week.
World Breastfeeding Week is observed annually from August 1st to 7th .
Madam Gifty Chigayefin Damsongor, a Public Health Nurse, in an interview with the Ghana News Agency after a health education session at the hospital’s Out-Patient Department (OPD), said the week-long campaign was dedicated to raising awareness about the life-saving benefits of breastfeeding to babies and mothers.
The campaign, which was on the theme: “Breastfeeding for a Sustainable Start in Life: Strengthen What Works,” was also intended to equip women with the knowledge and practical skills needed to successfully breastfeed.
“Breastfeeding Week is a period set aside to educate the public more on breastfeeding. It is important to the child, the mother and the entire family,” she said.
As part of the health education, the hospital used the celebration to conduct breast cancer screening for members of the public
“During the week, a lot of activities are carried out to create more awareness on breastfeeding. We do sensitisation at the various OPDs, churches, mosques and other public places,” she said.
Madam Damsongor, added that at the Child Welfare Clinic sessions, nurses provided hands-on guidance to mothers on proper breastfeeding techniques, particularly correct positioning and attachment of babies to the breast.
She noted that poor positioning was one of the leading causes of sore nipples, a condition that discouraged some new mothers from continuing to breastfeed.
“Positioning is one of the most important things you must take note of. Some women come with sore nipples, and mostly it is due to poor positioning. If we help them position and attach the child well, it will help them maintain breastfeeding from day one to two years,” she said.
The Public Health Nurse recalled the World Health Organisation’s recommendation that babies must be exclusively breastfed for the first six months of life, before complementary foods were introduced, while breastfeeding continued for at least two years.
“A woman should breastfeed for at least two years. The first six months should be exclusive breastfeeding, and then from six months onwards, complementary feeding should be introduced,” she stated.
She described breast milk as a complete and natural source of nutrition that contained all the nutrients and water an infant required during the first six months of life.
“Breast milk is natural. It contains all the nutrients the baby needs at that age to grow, including the right quantity of water, carbohydrates, proteins and everything the child requires. It is the first food for mankind,” Madam Damsongor said.
She further highlighted the importance of colostrum, the thick yellowish milk produced immediately after childbirth, describing it as a baby’s first protection against disease.
“The first breast milk, which usually looks yellowish, serves as a vaccine to the child. Once you give birth and the baby is immediately put to the breast, that is the beginning of vaccination,” she explained.
She said exclusive breastfeeding contributed to healthy brain development and reduced the risk of illnesses such as diarrhoea and pneumonia.
Beyond the benefits for babies, the Public Health Nurse said breastfeeding supported mothers’ recovery after childbirth as it helped the uterus to contract and reduce post-delivery bleeding.
“When the child is born and is immediately put to the breast, it helps the woman’s uterus to contract and facilitates the flow of blood after delivery,” she noted.
She encouraged mothers to embrace exclusive breastfeeding and seek assistance from healthcare professionals whenever they experienced challenges, stressing that proper support could help them continue breastfeeding successfully for the recommended duration.
GNA
Edited by Caesar Abagali/ Christabel Addo
Reporter: Godfred Aaneamenga Polkuu
Email: [email protected]