Charlestown-Nevis—Miss Shevanee Nisbett, Health Educator at the Health Promotion unit has revealed that her department will be placing some focus on the topic of BREAST FEEDING.
She indicated on Wednesday 12th August that every year Breastfeeding week is celebrated worldwide to drive awareness of the importance and benefits of breastfeeding to both mother and baby. This year it was celebrated during the week of August 1st – 7th 2015.
However, in an effort to acknowledge such, the Health Promotion Unit and the Ministry of Health have produced a flyer and poster to inform the general public and especially nursing mothers of the importance of breastfeeding.
The Unit has also conducted an interview on breastfeeding which will be aired on NTv8’s HEALTH MATTERS on Monday 17th August at about around 8:30pm.
Members of the general public are being advised to read and watch the posters/flyers and interview respectively and share the information to their friends and family.
The idea is for each one to teach one.
Some of the information published on the flyer and poster include the following:
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Benefits of breast feeding.
Temperature perfect; easy to digest; readily available; rich in nutrients; environmentally friendly; safest food source—less risk of contamination; economical-breast milk is free; antibodies in breast milk help to build immunity; early passage of first stool-meconium; closer bond between mother and baby; reduced risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).
Disadvantages of artificial feeding.
More diarrhea and respiratory infections; malnutrition-vitamin A deficiency; More allergies and milk intolerance; increased risks of certain chronic diseases; overweight; mothers become pregnant sooner; increased risks of anemia, ovarian and breast cancer for mothers; increased risks of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)
Eating and breast feeding.
Alcohol may cause weakness, drowsiness and sleep apnea; caffeine may cause crankiness and sleep disorders; gas inducing foods such as cabbage, broccoli, peppers, kidney beans and black beans, may cause gas related symptoms; citrus foods acidity may irritate the baby’s stomach; spicy foods may make baby fussy and cranky; garlic may change the taste and smell of breast milk; dairy products may cause an adverse reaction if your baby is allergic to milk; shark, sword fish; king mackerel and tile fish contain higher levels of mercury that may affect the baby’s brain; pepper mint, mint tea and parsley may reduce your milk supply.
Eat more: whole grain starchy foods for added fiber; plenty fruits and vegetables; some protein such as lean meat, eggs and beans—have at least two portions of fish per week; some low fat dairy products such as yogurt
Tips on breast feeding in public.
Be informed; practice at home; wear suitable clothing for breast feeding; start in a place with less people; use a nursing cover or blanket; if people stare at you, smile back at them; if you get nervous, look at your baby-take a deep breath and relax; do not breast feed in the bathroom.
Expressing breast milk while at work, saves money; provides the best nutrition for your baby; maintains the mother-child bond; miss less work because the baby is sick less often.
Plan ahead and arrange for your child care close to your work place; express breast milk by pumping so that someone else can feed your baby during work; ask your employer for flexible working hours that would allow you to breast feed or pump as needed.
How can employers help.
Provide a time and space for the expression of breast milk; provide options for mothers such as: onsite child care; flexible work schedules; teleworking; part time work.