Bolgatanga: The Upper East Regional Hospital (UERH) has intensified its public education initiatives on breastfeeding, aligning with this year's World Breastfeeding Week campaign.
According to Ghana News Agency, Public Health Nurse Madam Gifty Chigayefin Damsongor emphasized the campaign's focus during an interview after a health education session at the hospital's Out-Patient Department (OPD). The week-long observance from August 1st to 7th aims to raise awareness about breastfeeding's crucial benefits for both babies and mothers. The theme, 'Breastfeeding for a Sustainable Start in Life: Strengthen What Works,' underscores the effort to equip women with essential knowledge and skills for successful breastfeeding practices.
Madam Damsongor highlighted that Breastfeeding Week serves as a dedicated period for public education on the importance of breastfeeding for infants, mothers, and families. As part of the health education activities, the hospital conducted breast cancer screenings for the public to further engage the community.
Throughout the week, various activities were organized to enhance awareness, including sensitization sessions at OPDs, churches, mosques, and other public venues. At Child Welfare Clinic sessions, nurses offered hands-on guidance to mothers on breastfeeding techniques, emphasizing correct positioning and attachment to prevent sore nipples, a common issue that discourages continued breastfeeding.
Madam Damsongor reiterated the World Health Organisation's recommendation for exclusive breastfeeding during the first six months of life, followed by the introduction of complementary foods while continuing breastfeeding up to two years. Breast milk, she described, is a natural and comprehensive source of nutrition, containing necessary nutrients and hydration for infants during the initial six months.
She stressed the importance of colostrum, the thick yellowish milk produced immediately after childbirth, as a baby's first line of defense against diseases. Exclusive breastfeeding, she noted, supports healthy brain development and reduces risks of illnesses like diarrhoea and pneumonia.
For mothers, breastfeeding aids recovery post-childbirth by helping the uterus contract and reducing post-delivery bleeding. Madam Damsongor encouraged mothers to pursue exclusive breastfeeding and seek professional support for any challenges, emphasizing that proper guidance can help sustain breastfeeding for the recommended duration.