Low level of exclusive breastfeeding: Nurses and midwives can do more to change the situation – GHS officer

admin August 6, 2024

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Head of the National Breastfeeding Program at the Ghana Health Service (GHS), Madam Gifty Ampah, has blamed healthcare workers such as nurses and midwives largely for the disturbing figures recorded on breastfeeding in the country.

The 2022 Ghana Demographic and Health Survey indicates that nearly half (47.4%) of babies under 6 months are not being exclusively breastfed.

A development that has stagnated over the past two decades. The figures according to the Programme Head, are worrying.

She questioned the efforts of healthcare givers in supporting prospective mothers ahead of breastfeeding during antenatal, delivery and post-natal.

“I think currently we have about 42% not introduced to the breast within the first hour of delivery. And as many as 47% not exclusively breastfed. These are worrying figures looking at the fact that we as a nation, our target really is to reach at least 70% exclusive breastfeeding rates,” she bemoaned.

“We acknowledge that there are challenges and that is why this year’s theme focuses on closing some of the gaps that we have identified. One of the gaps is with us ourselves as the health team. At what point do we initiate the discussion of infant feeding with our pregnant women so that the woman doesn’t deliver and then suddenly she is now faced with maybe one challenge or the other, but once we start the discussion early enough within antenatal care and then support them to make a choice within that period before they go into delivery, then they are more poised to be able to practice le breastfeeding, which also actually leads to success of later breastfeeding,” Madam Ampah noted.

She explained that “when we get the first early hours wrong, we get the first few days wrong. And then the challenge continues like that. So the health system is looking at ways that we ourselves also can initiate the discussions early and also support them more.”

Madam Gifty Ampah also raised concern over the dwindling support from families, and especially partners to breastfeeding mothers. She said exclusive breastfeeding periods can be challenging and pleaded with family members to support the lactating mothers.

“We all want to make breastfeeding the ‘ish’ thing around when a woman removes her breasts because we shouldn’t, you know, attempt to make her feel inferior that other women are doing other things. Breast milk is superior any day. Any time. Breastfeeding, the whole action of breastfeeding is superior any day anytime. So, we should support every mother whether it’s a working mother or it is a home mother to be able to breastfeed, “ she urged.

Benefits of breastfeeding are numerous: Perfect nutrition, Protection of the child against infections, Brain power, Ready and portable and Good for mothers’ too.

It builds a special bond, helps the tightening of the baby’s jaws and grows their teeth.