SUPPORT BREASTFEEDING FOR A HEALTHIER PLANET

YEAR 2020 WORLD BREASTFEEDING WEEK

Do you know that breastfeeding does so much more?

As the world celebrates the breastfeeding week, mothers should remember that breastmilk offers the most nutritious and affordable infant meal, which the infant formula lacks. It also provides several benefits to the mother and baby.

Breastfeeding supplies all the essential vitamins and minerals to babies in a form that can easily be absorbed, and has antibodies which helps to help fight infection

Evidence has shown that breastfed babies are healthier, and more likely to have fewer hospital visits.

Do you know that a woman can get pregnant whilst breastfeeding?

The World Health Organization recommends that babies should be exclusively breastfed for the first six months, without food or water. Exclusive breastfeeding prevents ovulation which means an egg is not released each month, therefore pregnancy is not likely to occur. However, if exclusive breastfeeding is not properly practiced, ovulation will take place, and can lead to pregnancy

Do you know that exclusive breastfeeding can be used as a Family planning method?

Yes! If practiced as Lactational Amenorrhea Method (LAM) fulfilling all “3” criteria:

i. If a woman has a baby less than 6 months old; and

ii. If her menstrual bleeding (menses/period) has not returned; and

iii. If she breastfeeds her baby exclusively (day and night)

Do you also know that there are other family planning methods a woman can start using whilst breastfeeding?

Visit any registered hospital with the green dot logo to speak to a family planning provider today.