Breastfeeding Week this 1st to 7th of August

 

For the best lactation-boosting recipe and our first Modern Mommy “How To” video, click “smoothie”! Lactation Boosting Recipe

As moms, we know breastfeeding is giving the healthiest start to our children; it’s the provision of the best nutrition and the sharing of our immune system, protecting our children from illness. Improving breastfeeding practices in the world has the potential to save 820, 000 lives every year, it could improve a child’s IQ level by 3 to 4 points and increase the worldwide income by US$302 billion annually. Breastfeeding benefits moms as well; it reduces the risk of getting breast cancer and diabetes as well as improving pregnancy spacing. The best breastfeeding practices for our children as recommended by the World Health Organization and UNICEF is to only give your child breastmilk for the first 6 months of his/her life, no other liquid or food is required. Then starting in the 6th month, introduce other safe and nutritious foods, while continuing to breastfeed for at least two years. However, for mothers needing to return to work, it is very difficult to achieve this alone and often results in a mother stopping breastfeeding.

So what do breastfeeding working mothers need? Firstly they need time. In South Africa a mother is legally entitled to four months maternity leave, however, this is usually unpaid leave. Formally employed mothers can apply for Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF), but just know that this is not the full salary and may take time to process. Time should also be given by employers during the day, an additional hour on top of her usual breaks to either breastfeed or express milk or alternatively allow for flexi-time.

Secondly, a mother needs a place, a clean private place to either breastfeed her child or express her milk and then a place to store the milk. Employers could also consider providing a place onsite or close by for childcare.

What’s in it for employers? Providing the time and place for breastfeeding has shown to result in less absenteeism, improved work performance, dedication and retention of female staff.

Supporting breastfeeding moms is a win-win, let’s all do our part.

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Modern Mommy Written by:

5 Comments

  1. Wendy Marsh
    Mon, 01 August 2016
    Reply

    My baby was born @ 34weeks and 1.8kg. I was rols since I’m diabetic that I wouldn’t havenough milke. But he’ll be 7mnts I. The 9th he’ll be 7 mnths and I’m still breastfeeding

  2. Candice Gain
    Tue, 02 August 2016
    Reply

    Really important subject especially with employers and the lack of knowledge they have about breastfeeding mothers. Thank you for bringing awareness Joanne

  3. Celeste Parks
    Mon, 08 August 2016
    Reply

    As the mom of a Down Syndrome baby, I was told I will NEVER be able to breastfeed my baby……. Michael will God willing turn. 4 on the 27th August 2016 and I breastfed him up until he was 3yrs & 4mnths old. He never drank formula, I consider myself fortunate and blessed to have been able to have done so even more when Michael was diagnosed with leukemia at the tender age of 10mnths old. I expressed my milk daily for tube feeding when he became to weak and sick after chemo treament. It was a HUGE struggle and challenge to have continued feeding him during chemo treatment. Although some of the staff at the hospital were extremely helpful and willing to empower themselves regarding breastfeeding whilst in chemo treatment, others became anoid with the efforts of having to made this work. As parents we insisted to contine breastfeeding Michael for the entire period whilst staying at the hospital for 6mnths. My husband and mom were my biggest support structure assisting me with the logistics of preparing the sterilisation of equipment and containers etc. We believe by having been able to support our baby with ALL the necessary nutrition through breast milk, we added to his quality of life.

    To employers out there who support breastfeeding, THANK YOU. Mothers require a private space to express her milk in peace and with love. Thanks to those employers who contribute to the little new comers nutritional values by allowing their mom’s to express with love…….

    It’s heartbreaking to see a mom standing with a newborn baby in the UIF queue during the early hours of the morning throughout all weather conditions. I hope and pray our Dept of Labour in ZA will SOON be able to come up with a different protocol to assist these mom’s. Thinking about those newborns with little or no immunity amongst people from all walks of life.

    A huge Thank You to all in support of breastfeeding ?

  4. Jabulile
    Mon, 08 August 2016
    Reply

    My little one is 12 weeks old and still breastfeeding, though not exclusively. The first one breastfed for only 6 weeks so I already feel like I’ve done pretty well. My doctor and the baby wellness sisters keep saying that milk production works on a supply and demand basis…but I can help but feel he’s not getting enough because when I pump I get so little out 🙁 I’ll sure try the smoothie, thanks!

  5. Rofeeqoh
    Wed, 24 August 2016
    Reply

    This is such an informative post, thank you!

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