Mothers in Nandi have been urged to uphold breastfeeding and breastfeed their babies for a period of six months without weaning as it is an investment for the future.
Speaking at Kapsabet Referral Hospital grounds during the launch of the World Breastfeeding Week that was graced by the CEC of Health Nandi Mathew Rotich, the county Nutrition officer Mrs. Angelin Korir urged mothers to embrace breastfeeding and ensure they breast their babies exclusively for six months.
Angela stressed that breastfeeding reduces risks of diseases by 13% thus instructed mothers to do so to their babies as they would have helped them grow healthy.
The officer said mothers should be motivated to breast feed their children as breastfeeding well will reduce the risks of mothers to acquire breast and cervical cancer.
She revealed that the rates of breastfeeding in Nandi stands at 54% thus their is still a lot of work to be done to make sure this exercise is reached out.
The Nutritionist advised breastfeeding mothers to a balanced diet that consists of all kinds of foods to enable them breastfeed well.
Key messages on breastfeeding.
- The key messages passed to mothers on breastfeeding included;
- Place infant skin to skin with the mother immediately after birth.
- Initiate breastfeeding within the first hour of birth.
- Encourage and provide exclusive breastfeeding for infant from birth up to six months.
- Breastfeed Day and Night etc.
The Chief executive officer for the ministry of Health Nandi Mathew Rotich on his side, said the county government of Nandi through his ministry has budgeted for more drugs to ensure all hospitals and dispensaries in the region are well equipped with enough medicines.
He said the government will sign an agreement with the partner that is Unicef to ensure Kapsabet Referral Hospital becomes Baby Friendly.
Two mothers,Mary Too and a another one were given a token for emerging the champions in breastfeeding.
The theme of the breast feeding week is ” Breastfeed key to sustainable development Goals”
The exercise is always celebrated every August annually on 1st to 7th.