MEC Nkomo-Ralehoko encourages moms to continue breastfeeding even long after maternity leave
Mothers advised to breastfeed even after returning to work.
Kwatsaduza – Working moms with newborn babies and infants up to two years old are encouraged to continue breastfeeding as breastmilk is the optimal food source for babies.
It contains all the nutritional substances and antibodies they need to grow and protect them from illnesses.
This call was made by Gauteng MEC for Health and Wellness, Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko, while interacting with mothers and their little ones at the Far East Rand Regional Hospital as part of observing Breastfeeding Week from August 1 to 7, under the theme ‘Enabling breastfeeding: making a difference for working parents’.
Nkomo-Ralehoko encouraged mothers in the facility’s Kangaroo Mother Care Unit that when they go back to work, they need to continue prioritising exclusive breastfeeding as this has been proven to play a major role in reducing incidents of diarrhoea, respiratory infections and allergies in babies.
Also read: #BreastfeedingWeek: Importance of postpartum recovery for successful breastfeeding
“A breastfeeding nation is a healthy and productive nation. Therefore, we would like to urge organisations both in the public and private sectors to promote the culture of breastfeeding by allowing mothers to express and store milk for their babies whom they leave at home after concluding their maternity leave. Affording breastfeeding moms at least two 30 minutes to store breastmilk for their babies while in the workplace is crucial.
“Breastfed babies have a lower risk of becoming obese, becoming diabetic, having cancers and heart disease later in life, and tend to have a lower risk of allergies which may be caused by formula milk,” said the MEC.
The World Health Organisation and National Department of Health recommend that mothers initiate breastfeeding within an hour of birth, and exclusively breastfeed (only breastmilk with no other foods or water) for the first six months of life.
Thereafter, to meet their nutritional requirements, infants should receive adequate and safe complementary foods while breastfeeding continues up to two years of age and beyond to achieve optimal growth, development and health.
The benefits of breastfeeding extend to the mother as well, as it lowers the risk of breast and ovarian cancers, as well as osteoporosis. It also promotes bonding between moms and their babies.
South Africa has adopted a number of laws to protect, promote and support breastfeeding in the workplace, which among others include the good practice on the protection of employees during pregnancy and after the birth of a child (the Code).
The Code provides that arrangements should be made to enable mothers who are returning to work to have two breaks every day for up to 30 minutes for breastfeeding purposes until their child is six months old.
In addition, the MEC said that it is concerning that the majority of infants, from newborns to six months, are not given breastmilk alone.
The early introduction of other fluids and mixed feeding results in high rates of diarrhoea and contributes to infant malnutrition and mortality.
“Most women who intend to return to work are sometimes discouraged to initiate breastfeeding and others stop breastfeeding when they return to work or go back to study.
The longer breastfeeding lasts, the greater its nutritional benefits and the greater the protection it confers against diarrhoeal diseases and other benefits.
“Any organisation that supports breastfeeding mothers tends to have staff loyalty and increased production or service delivery. After all, which Mbokodo would not excel or want to work for an employer that respects breastfeeding mothers?
“Let us create a comfortable environment for women to express breastmilk at work,” urged the MEC.
Also read: Importance of postpartum recovery for successful breastfeeding
She said the Gauteng Department of Health is also looking at making its facilities more supportive to mothers coming back to work from maternity leave to continue breastfeeding or to express and store milk for their babies.
A dietician also advised during the event that breastfeeding is a natural and the safest way of nourishing an infant.
“There are many benefits of breastfeeding for both mother and baby,” said the dietician.
“Feeding mothers should talk to the nurses at their local clinics for more information on breastfeeding.
“The dietician also said that breast milk can be stored for eight hours at room temperature, four days in the fridge and three months in the freezer. It is important to note that breast milk should not be warmed in a microwave.”
