BY SIBUSISEKILE NDLANGAMANDLA
MBABANE– The National Nutrition Council Eswatini has encouraged mothers to prioritise exclusive breastfeeding, saying breast milk provides babies with essential nutrients needed for healthy growth, development and overall wellbeing during the early stages of life.
Eswatini is commemorating World Breastfeeding Week under the theme “Breastfeeding for a Sustainable Start in Life” with health experts encouraging mothers to embrace exclusive breastfeeding to give babies the best possible start in life. Speaking in an interview on the Kusile Breakfast Show, National Nutrition Council Eswatini Programme Manager Siniketiwe Zwane said breastfeeding remains one of the most effective ways of giving babies the nutrients they need during the early stages of life.
Zwane said breast milk provides babies with the essential nutrients needed for healthy growth and development while strengthening their immune systems and protecting them against illnesses. “Breastfeeding gives every child a good foundation in life, which is why we continue to encourage mothers to breastfeed their babies from birth” said Zwane. She also encouraged mothers who feel they are not producing enough breast milk not to give up, but to drink plenty of water and maintain a balanced, nutritious diet to help support milk production. She added that proper nutrition and adequate hydration play an important role in enabling mothers to breastfeed successfully.
Proper maternal nutrition plays a significant role in breastfeeding and urged families to support breastfeeding mothers by ensuring they have access to healthy meals and adequate rest. She also urged expectant mothers living with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) to visit health facilities as early as possible during pregnancy. Early attendance at antenatal clinics enables healthcare workers to provide guidance and treatment that can help reduce the risk of transmitting the virus from mother to child.
Zwane further reminded mothers that babies should be exclusively breastfed from birth until they reach six months of age, as recommended by health professionals. She explained that exclusive breastfeeding means giving babies only breast milk during this period unless otherwise advised by a healthcare professional. As Eswatini marks World Breastfeeding Week, health authorities continue to encourage communities to support breastfeeding mothers by creating environments that enable them to give their babies the healthiest possible start in life.
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(Courtesy Pic)
