The Department of Health’s Nelson Mandela Bay Health District’s Integrated Nutrition Programme in conjunction with the Health Promotions Directorate held a Breastfeeding Awareness Day at Walmer Community Hall on Friday, 22 August 2008.

The event was attended by Walmer mothers who had babies and the community as well as the Department of Health officials and local government councillors. The theme for the day was, “Mothers support – Going for gold.” 

The Integrated Nutrition programme manager, Joyce Nyarko told the mothers that breasfeeding has been with us for a long time. “Although, now there are lots of advertisements  on TV and in the newspapers that popularise formula milk, breastfeeding has been with us since time immemorial. We are here today, to encourage you to breastfeed because it is still the best method,” said Mrs Nyarko. 

In her introduction, she shared that breastfeeding is ideal for every mother. “Whether you are rich or poor or HIV positive or negative, breastfeeding is the best tool.” Mrs Nyarko begged mothers to breastfeed their infants and also told them the importance of making sure that their children also get Vitamin A especially those under 5 years of age. 

One of the speakers who is passionate about breastfeeding and is a specialist  in the field, Dr Nan Jolly spoke about why breastfeeding is still the best food for the babies. Dr Jolly explained that breastfeeding was created by God for the babies. “The mother’s milk is the best, as it makes babies grow healthily.  Cats make milk for their kittens and mothers make milk for their babies. It’s strange that we use cow milk for babies, when they should be getting human milk.”

Dr Jolly said that colostrum which is the first milk that the mother produces for the infant is very rich. “Babies are protected through breastmilk. They are protected from illnesses. The babies die more easily when they are not fed breastmilk, than when they do. Breastfeeding is much safe than bottle feeding.”

She encouraged the mothers to adopt the exclusive breastfeeding for the babies since that milk is alive and has protein and cells that make antibodies so that no foreign substances attack babies. “Also babies get love and are able to bond with their mothers through breastfeeding. The very first relationship that the baby has is with his mother. She feeds, clothes, and loves the baby. Breastfeeding is the most important intimate physical expression.”

Dr Jolly also shared that it is important that at least for the first six months the babies are breastfed as this goes a long way towards ensuring that even those babies who are born into poverty or affluence, you cannot tell them apart when they are all breastfed.

 “Breastfeeding compensates for the injustice of the world in which the child is born. The first choice is that mothers must breastfeed their babies.” 

Even mothers who are HIV positive were told that they can still breastfeed. They can either breastfeed exclusively or use cups to feed thier babies should they opt not to breastfeed. If they choose to breastfeed they should protect themselves by using condoms when they engage in sexual activities, so that their CD4 count is not low. Mothers were also warned that they should take care of their breasts and make sure they are healthy and if they are not, they must go to the nearest clinic.  Nosipho Kota