By Beaven Dhliwayo
Harare – Although many young women in Zimbabwe and the world over are choosing not to breastfeed their babies in order to keep young and beautiful, breastfeeding is important in unlocking human potential according to a nutrition specialist.
Nutritionist, Kudakwashe Zombe said under-nutrition early in life can cause irreversible damage to children’s brain development and their physical growth, leading to a diminished capacity to learn, poorer performance in school, greater susceptibility to infection and diseases and a lifetime of lost earning potential.
Zombe said breastfeeding, also known as nursing, is the normal way of providing young infants with nutrients they need for healthy growth and development.
“Virtually all mothers can breastfeed provided they have the accurate information and the support of their family, the health care system and society at large.
“This is one of the reasons why women are encouraged to register for antenatal care once they realize that they are pregnant,” he said.
Zimbabwe is a breastfeeding nation, however, because a significant number of women work in the informal, seasonal or part time economy they face greater barriers to breastfeeding.
He said many women abandon breastfeeding partially or completely because they do not have sufficient time or place to breastfeed, express and store their milk.
“The other reason why women fail to breastfeed could be due to lack of proper information on the benefits of breastfeeding to women and children as well as the breastfeeding recommendations.
Ministry of Health and Child recommends giving breast milk only and no other foods that is solids, semi solids and liquids a practice known in the medical field as exclusive breastfeeding to all infants from birth until a child reaches 6 months.
“It also recommends timely initiation of a variety of nutritious foods from 6 months and continued breastfeeding up to 2 years or beyond regardless of HIV status,” he said.
Zombe also said exclusive breastfeeding is the giving of breast milk only to infants below the age of 6 months without any additional foods such as porridge/sadza or drinks, medicines unless prescribed by a nurse or doctor and not even water.
To enable mothers to establish and sustain exclusive breastfeeding for six months, MoHCC recommends that infants are initiated to breastfeeding within the first hour of life and are breastfed as often the child and mother wants during day and night.
He also said in promoting, protecting and supporting breastfeeding the use of bottles, teats or pacifiers on infants is not recommended.
Despite efforts by the government to promote exclusive breastfeeding practice only 41% of infants under the age of 6 months are given breast milk only according to the Global Nutrition report of 2016 titled From Promise to Impact ending malnutrition by 2030.
“With the benefits associated with breast milk and breastfeeding process it is unfair for adults to deny infants and young children the right to the ideal food for proper growth and development.
“Scientific evidence is conclusive on breast milk being the best nutrition humans can offer to new born babies.
“It is important to note that breastfeeding offers tremendous health benefits to both mother and child. Breast milk is specifically designed to cater for infants nutritional needs in the first 6 months of life,” Zombe said.
According to Zombe for maximum benefits breastfeeding should be initiated soon after the birth of a child and should be maintained exclusively for six months.
“Since breast milk provides all nutritional needs for infants for six months there is no need to introduce other semi solid foods or liquids before 6 months.
“For the first few days after birth breasts will secrete a yellowish fluid which is different from breast milk.
“This fluid should not be discarded but should be given to infants because it is essential for the development of a child’s healthy immune system.
“It also provides factors that promote maturation of the gut and good digestion.
After 6 months breast milk will not be able to meet infant’s nutritional requirements hence the need to introduce other nutritious foods to complement breast milk,” he said.
Zombe also said in addition to the nutrients in breast milk it also contains antibodies that help babies fight off bacteria and viruses therefore it lowers babies’ risk of having infections, respiratory illnesses and bouts of diarrhea.
He added that infants who are breastfed have fewer hospitalizations and trips to the doctor and also benefits the breastfeeding mother.
“Breastfeeding also has many benefits to lactating women; it helps in the burning of extra calories, so it helps women lose pregnancy weight faster.
“It releases the hormone oxcytocin, which helps the uterus to return to its pre-pregnancy size and may reduce uterine bleeding after birth.
In addition breastfeeding lowers the risk of breast and ovarian cancer,” he added.
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