Mother of eight endorses Exclusive Breast Feeding

Story and Photos by: Patrick Adams

"Practicing exclusive breastfeeding seemed like a fairytale to me until I joined a Mother-To-Mother Support Group (MTMSG). Whenever I gave birth, my parents and in-laws forced me to give water to the new-born child even before breast milk because I was made to believe that my baby will develop a sore throat if I do not introduce water. After joining and being part of the MTMSG, I have seen that water has no importance to a new-born child until after six months of delivery. I practiced exclusive breastfeeding on my last delivery and I have seen that, truly, it is not good to give a new-born baby water. I remember my   mother once gave water to my baby, the child had diarrhoea and so I stopped and I have seen the improvement in his health" Felicia, a mother of eight said..

I have given birth to as many as eight (8) children and I can recount that the health of my children who did not have exclusive breastfeeding did not grow well and strong simply because I lacked knowledge on childcare. I have seen the difference between the health of subsequent children and those I gave birth to later to be of a difference because of the water I did not give to these children before the six months which is one of the importance of this group. Being part of the MTMSG has benefitted me a lot because, hitherto, the cost I would have incurred in feeding the child before the six months never came. Also, sometimes when I visit the clinic for antenatal care, I hear the health staff tell others that their children are suffering from sore in the stomach, which I believe comes from the improper childcare. I have taken cues from this education and training and over the years have been able to prevent this from happening to my children’’.

Again, as a mother, I have learnt to show concern, and attend to the baby when my baby is crying, I have that compassion and motherly care to attend to the child of which l learnt from being a member of the MTMSG. It is also appropriate to wash hands before breastfeeding because most often our children are left in the care of their younger siblings while we are on the farm, the children crawl on the floor, the moment I pick the child up the child to breastfeed, I remember the lessons on hand washing before breastfeeding, we are taught that, before you breastfeed your child, you must wash your hands properly. This has helped me and my children hence this group has benefits that I cannot count so this is the little I will say.

                    From left to right, Rosemond (community health nurse and mother-to-mother group facilitator) and Olivia (mid-wife)

The lessons from the MTMSG has helped me so much, including other families, I have been able to impact my knowledge on to my next door neighbour who has agreed to be part of the MTMSG. I believe she will also benefit from it just as I have benefitted. Felicia Said.