Women told breast milk boosts baby’s immunity

Breast feeding plays a major role in children’s health and development; and also the health of the mother, says World Vision Malawi (WVM) project coordinator, Adam Yasini.

He spoke recently at Chikweo Community Day Secondary School ground during the commemoration of the world breastfeeding day in Traditional Authority (T/A) Chikweo in Machinga.

He said the aim of the event was to increase awareness on the importance of breastfeeding, exclusive breastfeeding, myths and misconceptions

Yasini said it is recommended that babies be breastfed within the first 30 minutes or one hour of birth and exclusively for six months; and continued with breastfeeding alongside complementary food up to two years.

“Infants who are not breastfed are prone to diarrhea, leading to malnutrition and pneumonia. These children are likely to die and increase cases of child mortality,” noted Yasini.

He added that breast milk plays an integral part in supporting brain development, helping digestion of the baby, water retention and protecting the mother from cancer of the breast and ovaries.

Nursing officer for Machinga District Hospital Felia Nyirenda said breastfeeding is the genesis of a baby’s good health.

She commended WVM for commemorating the occasion under the theme: “Breastfeeding; a winning goal for life”, which she said tallied with Millenium Development Goals (MDGs) numbers four and five on poverty reduction.

During the event, two model women from Chikweo and Kuotcha in the area showcased their three months old babies who were healthy and growing well, courtesy of exclusive breastfeeding.

WVM organised the event in conjunction with Project Concern International, Support Service Delivery Intergrated and Dignitas International.

The world commemorates breastfeeding every first week of August to promote, protect and support breastfeeding.