MOTHERS MUST MAKE BREASTFEEDING A PRIORITY

MOTHERS SHOULD BREAST THEIR BABIES

Pregnant women and Nursing mothers will do themselves good if they want their infant children to be mentally sound in all facet of their life.

Yes, if the infant children must have an healthy live, then the mother must give them Effective Breast Feeding for the first six months of the their baby delivery, without any other food substance, because breast feeding is highly needed for the children mental health says President, Nutrition Society of Nigeria, Mrs Ngozi Nnam at the just concluded third edition of Creating Shared Value Media Workship, Ilupeju, Oshodi.

Mrs, Ngozi noted that due to the fact that the breast milk contains approximately 3.80% of fat, 1.20% of protein, 7.00% of lactose, 0.21% of ash, and 87.60% of water it is highly necessary for mothers to breast feed children. Breast milk contains anti-infective factors, which protect the baby against infection. Again it brings and sustains rapid growth and development of the baby.

Malnutrition is the greatest cause of child death worldwide, especially among the babies in Nigeria; malnutrition is an underlying cause of more than 54% of child deaths. According to a 2006 article in the ‘Independent’ that outlined the findings of a United Nations report, the article reported that “10 children die every minute as a result of malnutrition”.

Mothers should start breastfeeding within the first 30 minutes after birth to allow the baby take Colostrums, the yellow and thick milk secreted for the first few days after delivery

Colostrums contain more antibodies and white blood cells than later milk. It gives the baby the first immunization against bacteria and virus.

She further said that while breast feeding the baby, the baby needs to be Babies should be positioned properly to ensure that the mouth is well placed on the nipple and the brown area surrounding the nipple.

Allow the baby to suck enough on one breast to assess the hind milk which is concentrated before putting him on the other breast. Mothers should practice frequent, on-demand breastfeeding day and night which helps the milk to flow very well, if mother has to miss a breastfeed, she can maintain her supply by expressing milk, which can be fed by cup during her absence. Expressed breast milk is safe for up to 8 hours at room temperature. If refrigerated or frozen, it may be safe for up to 24 hours.

Mothers should be on nutritionally adequate diet to facilitate breast milk production

However, after 3 month, the baby should also engage in fruits and vegetables meal supply for the micronutrient needs of the baby. Even small amounts can meet some or all of a child’s daily requirements of vitamins. Include variety of foods in the baby’s meal to meet the nutrient requirements of the baby.

In a null shell breastfeeding continues with complementary food up to two years and beyond if the mother desires.

Story by Gbemile Oluwatosin, 

Photography by AFP image of malnutrition of a child.