17 August 2006
The theme for World Breastfeeding Week is, 'Code Watch: 25 Years of
protecting Breastfeeding'.
"There is no substitute for breast milk," Minister of Health P Uys said in a
statement to raise awareness of the advantages of breastfeeding. Breastfeeding
is the single most effective intervention to prevent child mortality and
morbidity. It is a simple way to save young lives.
"During my visits to health care facilities throughout the province, I am
experiencing firsthand that our mothers are increasingly becoming aware of the
importance of disease prevention through healthy child feeding habits, of which
breastfeeding is an important component," he said.
For most babies, exclusive breastfeeding for six months followed by
continued breastfeeding, together with nutritious complementary foods for two
years or beyond is the key to health and is the optimal approach to child
feeding. Uys says that a sound and well supported breastfeeding scheme is the
foundation of a strong immune system.
The Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative and the maternity protection for
mothers are all there to create an enabling environment for mothers to
breastfeed. "We have been advocating and promoting the advantages of
breastfeeding in all our healthcare facilities throughout the province through
a Code workshop ,talks, breast fest ( all breastfeeding mothers come together
and breastfeed at the same time) exhibitions and the distribution of nutrition
information and also had wonderful results with our Kangaroo Mother Care
system" he said.
Kangaroo Mother Care involves exclusive breastfeeding for infants with low
birth weight with its principle of skin-to-skin contact where the naked baby is
placed between the mother's bare breasts and is tied securely with a cloth.
Other advantages of breastfeeding are:
* breastfed babies develop faster and show improved cardio-respiratory
stability
* when mothers breastfeed, hospitals can use resources more efficiently and
better quality care can be given
* breastfeeding promotes mother-infant bonding
* it is economical and brings about considerable savings in hospital
costs
* breastfeeding improves the immune system of babies and colostrum provides the
first immunisation
* breastfeeding renders protection for mothers against osteoporosis as well as
breast and ovarian cancer
* helps with the involution of the uterus and thus prevents excessive bleeding
in the mother
* breastfeeding is more hygienic
* breastfeeding helps infants to do without artificial teats or pacifiers
(dummies or soothers)
The International Code of Marketing of Breast milk Substitutes aims to
protect and promote exclusive breastfeeding by prohibiting the advertising and
aggressive marketing of breast milk substitutes feeding bottles and teats.
Despite progress made since the World Health assembly adopted the Code in 1981,
work still needs to be done to improve breastfeeding practices. South Africa
has an ethical Code, and is in the process of legislating a South African
Code.
Good nutrition and Breastfeeding for children are critical for the
achievement of the UN Millennium Development Goals, particularly the goals
relating to child survival, such as reducing the rate of under five child
mortality and eradicating extreme poverty and hunger.
Minister Uys said health professionals of his department are well-equipped
to inform all pregnant women about the benefits and management of
breastfeeding. Continuous re-training occurs to maintain a high quality
standard of care and service delivery.
"Let us all work together to give our children the best start in life," he
said.
Enquiries:
Faiza Steyn
Tel: (021) 483 3235
Herman van der Westhuizen
Tel: (021) 483 2627
Issued by: Department of Health, Western Cape Provincial Government
17 August 2006
Source: Western Cape Health Department (http://www.capegateway.gov.za/health)
