31 Oct 2016

Due to the rise of HIV/AIDS infection, breastfeeding rate has gone down despite treatment during pregnancy that enables the infected mother to breastfeed.

Officially launching Community Infant and Young Child Feeding Support in Mahalapye recently, Mahalapye Hospital chief medical officer Dr Tshepo Machacha said they have realised that most young mothers choose not to breastfeed.

Dr Machacha said that this is because of misconceptions and  myths  surrounding breastfeeding.He said breastfeeding is not only affordable method of feeding but also nutritious and readily available.

He said in this era of high rate of unemployment mothers prefer to struggle with buying expensive milk rather than choosing a natural way of feeding.

He highlighted that children that have been breastfed for at least six months have shown a stronger resistance to illnesses as breast milk contains disease fighting anti-bodies.

He said in 2015 they registered 24 cases of malnutrition in which 3 resulted in death while this year they already have 42 cases out of which already seven children have died.

Mahalapye Hospital dietician, Ms Letlhogonolo Gabanamotse said they have realised that even if mothers breastfeed, they normally do it for at least three months which is not enough.

Ms Gabanamotse said early weaning enables children to be introduced to solids,and advised mothers who have problems with producing milk to seek medical attention. ENDS