On September 20, 2018, Feds Uganda Ministries sponsored a one-day breastfeeding training session taught by a medical professional for 45 caregivers, that included 30 beneficiaries of the ministry and 15 of their friends.
There is a prevalence of severe and chronic malnutrition which has caused a spike in infant mortality rates. As a result, Feds Uganda Ministries is promoting the development of best practices for the betterment of health in children. One such practice is breastfeeding. There is nothing money can buy which is better for the baby than breast milk. It’s recommended that initiation of breastfeeding should be within the first hour of life. Then the baby should be fed exclusively by breastfeeding until the baby is six months old. This is followed by the Timely Complementary Feeding phase that features a diet of appropriate foods and continued Breast Feeding until the child is two years of age.
Breast milk is readily available, easily digested and provides all the nutrients and water needed by a healthy infant during the first 6 months of life. The first milk (colostrum) contains anti-bacterial and anti-viral agents that protect the infant against diseases. These were just a few of the many benefits of breastfeeding shared with the caregivers during their training session. It was a very informative day that sensitized the caregivers to the benefits of breastfeeding.
Compiled by:
Mulumia Patrick, Director
Feds Uganda Ministries
