Celebrate World Breastfeeding Week

MULBARTON – The benefits of breastfeeding for mothers and babies are well established, yet it can cause anxiety for many women.

This World Breastfeeding Week, which runs from August 1 to 7, Netcare Mulbarton Hospital’s dedicated maternity staff members are reaching out to provide mothers with the support they need to feel comfortable and confident about breastfeeding.

“The World Health Organization (WHO) advocates babies being exclusively breastfed for the first six months, as this is recognised as the best nutritional start for a young life. Numerous studies have shown that feeding babies on breast milk only, for at least the first half-year of a child’s life, protects against a host of non-communicable diseases,” general manager of the hospital, Nellie Koen, explains.

Conditions such as asthma, diabetes and obesity may be prevented through adequate breastfeeding, while the psychological benefits for both mothers and their babies cannot be overemphasised, Koen says.

“We will be teaching women techniques to make breastfeeding easier, so that they can see for themselves how rewarding this experience can be,” Koen notes.

The theme for this year’s World Breastfeeding Week is ‘Breastfeeding and Working Mothers’. Many women face financial pressures to return to work before the recommended six-month exclusive breastfeeding period, and they may feel that it is difficult for them to continue breastfeeding.

“There is however always a way to make breastfeeding work for busy, professional women, and we are more than happy to share tips and special advice.

”Other factors that may influence women to wean their babies early include mothers finding breastfeeding frustrating at first and experiencing difficulty in getting their babies to latch on. Others may struggle with cracked nipples or irregular milk flow. These problems can be trying but are far from insurmountable. Help is at hand to guide mothers through such challenges.”

Netcare Mulbarton Hospital’s experienced maternity staff members are well placed to lend advice on all aspects of baby care, including breastfeeding. The hospital has state-of-the-art maternity facilities, purpose-designed to provide a streamlined service in a tranquil environment. The maternity facilities comprise a 20-bed maternity ward, eight-bed neonatal ward, three delivery rooms, including two birthing baths, for parents who wish to have a water birth, as well as a dedicated caesarean section theatre.

“Our caring maternity staff members place a strong emphasis on providing quality care and nurturing mothers and babies before and after birth. It is our goal to give the little ones the best start in life, and breastfeeding is a vital aspect of this,” Koen asserts.

Mothers wanting more information and guidance on breastfeeding are encouraged to visit Netcare Mulbarton Hospital during World Breastfeeding Week where maternity staff will be on hand on Monday August 3 and Thursday August 6 from 11:00 to 15:00 in the reception area to meet with mothers.