MUNDE: World Breastfeeding Week: Time to step up and support breastfeeding mothers

MUNDE: World Breastfeeding Week: Time to step up and support breastfeeding mothers

Breastfeeding bottles. /ISTOCKPHOTO

It takes a village to raise a child; and it also takes a village to have a mother get to the six month mark of exclusive breastfeeding.

It has been said that mothers, despite their central role in raising their children, are sometimes forgotten.

After a mother gives birth, often times, many people will ask how the baby is fairing on, but rarely do they ask how the mother is doing.

As the world marks the World Breastfeeding Week during this first week of August, the theme is ‘step up for breastfeeding: Educate and support’.

All actors in the chain are encouraged to offer support to mothers to help them reach the six month of exclusive breastfeeding and two year mark of breastfeeding as babies transition into complementary feeding on solids.

Some of the challenges mothers face include sore and cracked nipples, low milk supply and juggling returning to work and continuing to breastfeed.

I have previously written about and done a podcast on the topic, “How to become a breastfeeding ninja”, and in this article, I’ll go through other tips on how to have a successful breastfeeding journey.

Firstly, remember that breastfeeding is a demand and supply affair – the more you breastfeed, the more milk supply you will have.

It is recommended that you breastfeed every two to three hours. And when you are not with your baby, you should express milk in those intervals as well to protect your milk supply.

If you don’t have a breast pump, you can hand express.

Another factor to consider is that you should eat a balanced diet with all the food groups to help you get all the nutrients you and your baby needs.

On the matter of sore nipples, just like period pain, it is not normal and you should not endure this or abandon breastfeeding, but rather look at whether your baby is properly latched onto your breast.

Your baby should have a deep latch and should open his/her mouth wide to suckle not only on the nipple, but the areola as well, to ensure you don’t end up with sore and/or cracked nipples.

To all the mothers, what has your breastfeeding journey been like, share your thoughts and tips for a successful experience on firsttimemumke@gmail.com

Listen to the First Time Mum Confessions Podcast here.

Tags:

Breastfeeding WBW World Breastfeeding Week

Want to send us a story? Submit on Wananchi Reporting on the Citizen Digital App or Send an email to wananchi@royalmedia.co.ke or Send an SMS to 25170 or WhatsApp on 0743570000

Leave a Comment

Comments

No comments yet.

latest stories