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Tag: World Breastfeeding Week

  • Extended Breastfeeding: Nurturing health beyond the first six months

    Extended Breastfeeding: Nurturing health beyond the first six months

    First marked in 1992, World Breastfeeding Week was started to generate public awareness and support for breastfeeding. This year’s theme was centred around recognizing breastfeeding mums by ensuring they are seen and heard through sharing relatable human experiences about breastfeeding and the importance of multi-level support.

    Notwithstanding the concerted efforts in educating mothers on the importance of breastfeeding especially for infants, there remains a widespread myth that exclusive breastfeeding causes sagging breasts when in reality, factors like aging and hormonal changes during menopause have a much bigger impact. It is essential to dispel these misconceptions because they often discourage mothers from breastfeeding. The World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF strongly recommend that mothers exclusively breastfeed for the first six months. Unfortunately, only 60% of Kenyan children are exclusively breastfed, falling short of the global target of 70% by 2030.

    Building on this, research from the National Library of Medicine in 2022 indicates that less than 40% of infants under six months of age are exclusively breastfed worldwide. In sub-Saharan Africa, the situation is even more concerning, as malnutrition among children is prevalent, with only about 37% of infants in this age group being exclusively breastfed.

    On a global scale, the situation is even more worrying. Research from the National Library of Medicine in 2022 shows that less than 40% of infants under six months are exclusively breastfed worldwide. In sub-Saharan Africa, the situation is even more concerning, as malnutrition among children is prevalent, with only about 37% of infants in this age group being exclusively breastfed.

    Alarmingly, countries like Chad and Sierra Leone report rates below 5%, underscoring the urgent need for increased support and education around breastfeeding practices. This gap highlights the importance of addressing barriers to breastfeeding and fostering a culture that prioritizes the health and well-being of both mothers and their infants.

    When embarking on the breastfeeding journey, many mothers find themselves navigating cracked nipples, sleepless nights, and lengthy nursing sessions without a clear timeline for how long they plan to continue. As breastfeeding becomes more comfortable for both mother and child, the question of when to wean often arises. Concepts such as “extended breastfeeding” surface, prompting curiosity about feeding toddlers and older children.

    Breastfeeding is more than just a source of nourishment; it is a nurturing practice that yields an array of benefits for both mothers and their children. As society increasingly acknowledges the profound impact of early childhood nutrition and emotional connections, the advantages of extended breastfeeding stand out as essential for health and well-being. From enhancing maternal health to promoting emotional bonding, the benefits are both significant and multifaceted.

    For mothers, extended breastfeeding lowers the risk of serious health issues, including breast and ovarian cancer, type 2 diabetes, and high blood pressure, and these protective effects accumulate the longer they breastfeed. For children, breast milk is rich in antibodies that help combat infections, tailoring its composition based on the baby’s needs through interactions with their saliva. This dynamic adaptation contributes to reduced rates of asthma, ear infections, and respiratory illnesses.

    Additionally, it provides an accessible source of comfort, soothing infants when they are upset or scared, while also being a convenient and nutritious supplement as children transition to solid foods. This ease of access, coupled with the economic advantage of being more affordable than formula in the long run, makes breastfeeding a vital choice for families seeking to promote health and well-being.

    Extended breastfeeding can also present challenges. Mothers may face difficulties in weaning, social stigma, and potential impacts on their nutritional health. Additionally, prolonged breastfeeding can sometimes influence the mother-child relationship, leading to feelings of isolation. It becomes crucial for mothers to find a balance that supports their own well-being while nurturing their child.

    Section 29 of the Kenyan Constitution entitles female workers to three months of maternity leave, but this policy doesn’t align with medical advice, which recommends exclusive breastfeeding for at least six months. However, while many employees in the formal sector enjoy these benefits, a significant number of women, especially in the informal sector, remain without adequate support. This misalignment places immense pressure on mothers who now must juggle their professional responsibilities while ensuring their infants receive essential nourishment.

    Despite the mandate to establish lactation stations in workplaces, many organizations have yet to comply, leaving numerous mothers without the essential facilities needed to breastfeed or express milk. This lack of support significantly hampers their ability to provide crucial nourishment to their babies.

    The introduction of the Breastfeeding Mothers Bill 2024 introduces legal requirements for employers, emphasizing the need for supportive environments for breastfeeding mothers. This legislation not only seeks to encourage employers to create such spaces but also to help working mothers effectively balance their job responsibilities with their important role in caring for their children.

    By cultivating these supportive environments, we can enhance the health and well-being of both mothers and their infants, ultimately benefiting families and society as a whole.

    Eunice Munyingi is the Nairobi Region – Hospital Cluster Manager, Nairobi Women’s Hospital

     

  • Do we support breastfeeding working mothers enough?

    Do we support breastfeeding working mothers enough?

    Breastfeeding is every child’s right and every mother’s responsibility. It is the joy of every mother to see that their babies are adequately breastfed and enjoy every benefit that comes with it including, an established immune system and significant growth.

    According to the World Health Organisation, a child should be breastfed exclusively for six months before being introduced to food.

    However, breastfeeding has its own share of challenges. Immediately after childbirth, women often experience painful breasts and cracked nipples, which can make breastfeeding difficult. For working mothers, returning to work after about three months can be challenging, as they must leave their baby behind.

    This situation entails additional costs, such as purchasing a breast pump and storage facilities for expressed milk, which can be expensive. Baby formula costs are also high, prompting some mothers to wean their babies as early as one month due to financial constraints.

    Breastfeeding mothers face the risk of developing mastitis if they are unable to breastfeed or express milk regularly at work, particularly in workplaces lacking facilities for breastfeeding. Reduced milk production due to irregular breastfeeding can weaken the baby’s immunity and force early weaning.

    Poverty exacerbates these challenges, especially for teenage mothers lacking support from family or the child’s father. A balanced diet is essential for milk production, but without support, it can be difficult to maintain.

    Breast enlargement during breastfeeding can also make bras uncomfortable and reduce milk production.

    Breastfeeding mothers need a peaceful environment for themselves and their baby. Teenage pregnancies, often accompanied by forced marriages, can create stressful environments that further impact milk production.

    Adolescent motherhood is fraught with difficulties, including family abandonment and societal stigma. Some teenage mothers face early marriages or abandonment, and those who return to school may experience peer stigma, affecting their self-esteem.

    Nevertheless, some steps have been taken into the right direction to address challenges that working mothers face with breastfeeding. Some organisations offer immense support to breastfeeding mothers when they have to work. Nguvu Collective for instance, a social impact and advocacy organisation, has proven that mothers can still work and contribute to economic and social advancement even when they’re breastfeeding.

    During the Launchpad Kenya, 2024, mothers were allowed to come in with their babies and nannies for the full board program and as intense as it was, they were given breastfeeding breaks to tend to their babies. Teach for Kenya, an NGO that I work with also takes into consideration the needs of breastfeeding mothers. During the Summer Institute, a training period for teaching Fellows, mothers were allowed to commute with commuter costs catered for, even though the program was full board. This allowed us to keep our babies breastfed as much as we were working.

    The Breastfeeding Mother’s Bill, 2024 seeks to provide a legal framework for mothers who may wish to breastfeed their children at their workplace. It provides for the rights of a mother to breastfeed freely or express milk for her infant. With these and more interventions, breastfeeding mothers will feel safe and this will protect their dignity as they tend to their children.

    By: Synthia Asienwa is the Founder and Director of Let’s Talk Mentors Hub and a Nguvu Changeleader. She champions for quality education, provides mentorship and leadership training to school-going children.

    Sylvia Awinja is a Nguvu Changeleader who has dedicated herself to advocating for menstrual leave and sex education in schools to address teen pregnancy, gender-based violence and HIV/AIDS.