Nhau Mangirazi
Breasting feeding women can continue doing so even when they contract the deadly Coronavirus currently ravaging the world, the Young Women Christian Association has said.
The YWCA made the call as Zimbabwe and other countries commemorated the World Breastfeeding Week that is celebrated every year from August 1 to 7.
It is celebrated to encourage women to breastfeed their children for all-around development while breast milk of the mother is known to be the best source of nourishment for babies and also helps in protecting children against various childhood illnesses.
Breastfeeding is also the best way to provide infants with the essential nutrients required for their growth.
In an Interview, YWCA secretary general Mucha Mukamuri said the breastfeeding celebration week provides an opportunity for mothers, partners, families and healthcare professionals to come together to share what works to support breastfeeding. ivermectina es antibiotico
“The COVID-19 pandemic has brought many challenges for parents, but it shouldn’t get in the way of a women’s decision to breastfeed. The WHO recommends that mothers with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 should be encouraged to initiate or continue breastfeeding as the benefits of breastfeeding substantially outweigh the potential risks for transmission.
“There has also been recommendation that there is no requirement to stop breastfeeding in order to be vaccinated against COVID-19 as the vaccines can be received whilst breastfeeding,” she said. ivermectin what is it used for
The breast feeding week commemorations were celebrated under the theme; “Protect Breastfeeding: A Shared Responsibility”.
This theme focuses on the contribution of breastfeeding for the survival, health and well-being of all and the imperative to protect breastfeeding worldwide.
The purpose of commemorations is to enlighten people about the importance of breastfeeding and to ensure that women who are breastfeeding are confident in their right to breastfeed.
“We know breastfeeding delivers health, nutritional and emotional benefits to both the child and mother. According to the WHO breastfeeding protects against allergies, sickness, obesity and many other infections as breastfed babies have stronger immune systems that assist for a healthy development.
“Additionally, children who are breastfed generally engage more with education. There are numerous benefits for women who breastfeed, for example, a reduced risk of breast and ovarian cancers. Physical and emotional bonding between mother and child is also improved during breastfeeding,” she said.
Makamuri said the most important support breastfeeding mothers can get is that of those around them, partners, family, and friends.
“Fathers and partners should be involved when it comes to postnatal health and mental health as caring for a newborn baby can be exciting and rewarding but also challenging,” she said adding that the emotional and practical help by partners can make a huge difference to the breastfeeding experience.
“Partners and the wider family can provide practical help and support to mothers who are breastfeeding through encouraging the breastfeeding mother, which can also help to build their confidence.
“Sometimes just supporting by helping with simple household tasks can make a huge difference in the breastfeeding experience.”
She said health practitioners have a vital role in promoting and linking parents to information and support, empowering them to make choices which promote their child’s health and wellbeing.
“The WHO recognizes that breastfeeding is a natural process, however it is not always easy and the support to new mothers; family and friends can make a huge difference,” Makamuri said.
The WHO and the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund, in 1990, created a memorandum to support and promote breastfeeding. longrange ivermec 50 ml
In 1991, the World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action (WABA) was formed to act on the Innocenti Declaration of 1990 to support, promote and protect breastfeeding.
In the year 1992, the first World Breastfeeding Week was celebrated.
This week is celebrated to encourage women to breastfeed their children to provide them with essential nutrients and to protect them from many infections and diseases that infants are prone to.
