WORLD BREASTFEEDING WEEK: GH SOMOLU HOLDS HEALTH TALK
… Calls For Exclusive Breastfeeding
As part of activities marking the Y2024 World Breastfeeding Week, the General Hospital Somolu has joined the rest of the globe to commemorate the event by organising a health talk, just as it calls for exclusive breastfeeding among mothers.
The Health Talk, held on Tuesday at the Facility for nursing mothers and pregnant women, was tailored towards the theme of the 2024 breastfeeding week: “Closing the Gap: Breastfeeding Support for All”.
In his opening remarks, the new Medical Director/Chief Executive Officer of the Hospital, Dr. Mustapha Adebola Quadri reiterated that exclusive breastfeeding remains the best method for mothers to feed and care for their babies as breast milk contains all the nutrients babies need for growth.
According to him, breast milk particularly protects babies from infectious diseases as it boosts their immunity, adding that the method helps the mother in family planning because as long as the baby is still been breastfed, the monthly cycle of a woman will not come.
In the same vein, the Apex Nurse of the Hospital, Philomena Ihator Whyte emphasised the importance of exclusive breastfeeding in the life of the mother, adding that it has become an integral part of the reproductive process of the mother, especially when it comes to healthy living.
Similarly, the Head of the Department, Nutrition and Dietetics, Mrs. Olufunmilola Adewumi advised the mothers to breastfeed their babies for six months before they can introduce them to complementary food. This is because of the immense health benefits attached to it.
Other medical personnel from the Pharmaceutical Department, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Dental, Family Planning and Ante-Natal Clinic among others, also made several contributions to drive home the fact that breast milk remains the best for the baby.
High points of the event include nursing fathers showcasing their skills in the proper way to strap babies to their backs, nurses demonstrating the right sitting posture for mothers while breastfeeding their infants, quizzes, questions and answers segment as well the presentation of gifts to the best three exclusively breastfed babies from the hospital.
Recall that the campaign for exclusive breastfeeding, which runs from the 1st to the 7th of August yearly, is skewed towards celebrating breastfeeding mums in all their diversity, throughout their breastfeeding journeys, while showcasing the ways families, societies, communities and health workers can support every breastfeeding mum.