Witbank Provincial Hospital hosts a Breastfeeding Awareness Day
World Breastfeeding Week 2022.
In eMalahleni, Women’s Month begins with health care workers encouraging women to “step up for breastfeeding”.
Every year from August 1 to 7 World Breastfeeding Week is observed.
On Thursday, August 4 Witbank Provincial Hospital observed the World Breastfeeding Week, as “breast feeding is a mother’s gift to herself, her baby and the earth”.
Matron Susan Leshaba said they are celebrating Breastfeeding Week at Witbank Hospital by encouraging mothers to breastfeed their babies.
Breastfeeding is a natural method of feeding that gives your baby the best possible start in life.
They hope the mothers will return to the community and educate them.
The celebration was done by the hospital with the aim of increasing awareness about breastfeeding and to promote breast milk as the healthy food for infants and young children.
The theme for this year was “Step up for breastfeeding,” education and support.
One of the highlights was from the speaker of the day warning the mothers about the risks of mixed feeding.
“Breast feeding is power,” said Sr Mumsy Tshehla.
You’ll be surprised to hear that breastfeeding has advantages for both mother and baby.
Sr Tshehla came to spread the word about benefits of breastfeeding, stating that it is a natural way to feed your child and it has many benefits, including reducing the risk of infections, allergies, obesity, diabetes, and other chronic diseases.
Breastfeeding can help protect mom and baby from HIV infections, in addition to all these benefits.
She went to educate people on how to practice safe breastfeeding.
The Human Nutrition Department stressed out the importance of exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months after birth and breastfeeding up to two years.
Through the event, mothers were shown and taught how to express breast milk.
One of the days’ agenda items was to donate breast milk and save lives, as mothers were also taught about donating breast milk.
“You can help other babies by being a donor,” said Mrs Carrie de Waal, a speech therapist.
She emphasized the importance of being a donor and how your support can help change a baby’s future.
She also stated that they are in need of the donors and that if you are interested, you can contact the South African Breast Milk Reserve (SABR) on 011 482 1920. Donors 24/7:
066 488 3350. E-mail: info@sabr.org.za
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