‘No alternative to breast feeding as 3.1m children die of malnutrition’

As the World Health Organisation (WHO) confirms that 3.1 million children die annually from malnutrition, Fidson Healthcare plc says breastfeeding is the best source of nourishment for infants and young children, being the cornerstone for a child’s healthy growth as well as a country’s development.

Friday Enaholo, marketing manager, Fidson, says breast milk is an essential source of energy and nutrients for children aged six and 23 months as it can provide more than half of a child’s energy needs and one third of energy needs between 12 and 24 months.

 Enaholo stressed that breast milk is also a critical source of nourishment during illness, and reduces child mortality.

According to him, supporting breastfeeding is one of the viable health investments any country’s government can make, especially in preventing child mortality, improving maternal and child health.

“The World Breastfeeding Week is intended to draw attention to and raise awareness of this natural responsibility of a mother. There is the need to drum support for the working class mother who is nursing a baby; and to call on employers and policy makers to spare a thought for the hard-working, lactating mother when developing labour related policies that have to do with the workplace. A happy mother is a productive employee,” he said.

He noted that breastfeeding is a natural interaction between mother and baby, without any need for a special week to raise awareness for it.  “However, urbanisation, globalisation, work-life imbalance, fear of breast sagging, among others, have reduced the frequency and duration of breastfeeding. Normally, mothers derive joy from suckling their babies and their commitment to this noble duty is high”.

He advised breastfeeding mothers to cultivate the habit of frequently taking clean water to increase the flow of breast milk. He also advised the consumption of natural foods, to increase the quality and quantity of breast milk, as well as intake of nutritional supplements, like Cestra Pre-natal® which contains all the micronutrients, vitamins and other requirements in the right types, quantity and combinations for optimal growth and wellbeing of mother and child.