By Joel Kaguta
in Kasese
Breastfeeding mothers in the country have been called upon to have
enough time for their children on breast milk in order to grow
healthy.
Kasese district Assistant Health officer in-charge of Maternal and
Child Care, Sr. Stella Barunga has said that all nutrients needed by a
child contains in the milk.
Barunga explained that breast feeding is the natural and the best way
of feeding the baby.
She said that mothers need to feed themselves well, eat nutritious,
well balanced diets because the quality of the breast milk remains
constant, clean and free from infections and does not require prior
preparation.
Barunga also said that Breast-feeding creates a strong bond between
mother and the baby and provides natural resistance to diseases.
She said that when the baby is sucking, he/she should be left on one
breast for five minutes and then changed to the other. Keep on
changing until both breasts are emptied. If for any reason the baby is
unable to empty the breasts, the mother should express the milk out by
hand.
Barunga said that this helps more milk made and the mother to feel
comfortable adding that breast-feeding should continue as long as
possible, not less than 6 months.
About artificial feeding, Barunga cautioned mothers from feeding their
children on the powered milk and should be followed properly adding
that the proportion of the nutrients is not as satisfactory as that
found in mother’s milk.
Eunice Kyakimwa Kugonza, a Community Development Officer, Kisinga
sub-county said that fathers also need to get involved in
breast-feeding adding that domestic violence and stress would cut the
flow of breast milk. Eunice adds….
Moreen Mbindule, a mid wife at St. Paul’s Cathedral Health Centre IV
in Kasese town said that mothers need to first bath and clean the
breasts before they breast-feed their children especially from
journeys.