20/09/2017
Proper feeding of babies and young children is necessary to improve upon their health and prevent malnutrition. WHO and UNICEF recommend exclusive breastfeeding for six months and complementary feeding from six months to two years of age or more. Ghana Government adopted the recommendation with a policy in 1994 so all mothers in Ghana are expected to only breastfeed their newly delivered babies with no other food, milk, cereals or water for the first six months of life and continue breastfeeding in addition to other family foods and water from six months until their babies are two years old or more.
This practice has several advantages since breast milk contains anti-infective substances which fight against infections including diarrhea, pneumonia, coughs, colds, allergies ear infections etc. It contains all the nutrients being carbohydrates, minerals, vitamins and all the water a baby needs for the first 6 months of life in the right, quantities and proportions. It prevents infantile diabetes and cancer and helps brain development of the baby making them very intelligent. Even for the mother, it prevents bleeding after delivery, and reduces the risk of diabetes and hypertension and it is a family planning method for mothers. It also saves money for the family by not buying baby foods and not paying hospital bills.
It is therefore important that all mothers practice this awesome policy. However, some mothers are not able to carry out this practice due to various challenges.You may be going through a situation of not getting enough breastmilk, baby crying too much, sore or cracked ni***es, engorged breasts, baby refusing to breastfeed, poor positioning and attachment to breast, resuming work after marternity leave, baby refusing to eat after 6 months and other difficulties.
We are here at long last with good news. Trained Health Professionals will visit you at home to provide support needed to overcome the challenges. Just let us know if you are facing difficulties with feeding your baby aged 0 to 24 months and we will be there to support you.
