01 Aug 2016

Princess Marina Hospital on Tuesday August 1started commemorating World Breastfeeding Week.

A press release from the hospital states that the commemoration is held at  Gaborone Main Mall. This year’s theme is Breastfeeding; A key to Sustainable Development’ while the objectives include informing the public about the new sustainable development goals and how they relate to breastfeeding and Infant and Young Child Feeding.

It states that the event started with a walk from Princess Marina Hospital main gate via Kaunda road to the Main Mall.

Meanwhile, breastfeeding week is commemorated every year from August 1-7 worldwide to encourage breastfeeding and improve babies’ health.

The release says breastfeeding provides infants with biologically active components and immunological benefits resulting in less infant illness, decreased health care expenditures and decreased maternal absenteeism from work.

Again, it costs less than formula feeding and also develops a special maternal-infant bond, states the release.

Further, it may decrease risk of breast cancer and protect against development of childhood and adolescent obesity.

It also provides exposure to flavours of the maternal diet, which may facilitate acceptance of solid foods. ENDS