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National Breastfeeding Week: Nursing mums’ struggles with Exclusive Breastfeeding

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The World Health Organization recommends that mums exclusively breastfeed their babies for six months , but this is far-fetched dream for many mums.
Babies are required to be given only breastmilk for six months , with no other liquid or solid foods added till after the stipulated time.
But over the years, women have advanced many reasons why exclusive breastfeeding is simply impossible.
Most of such women compliment breast milk with other foods especially artificial milk, way earlier than is required.
As a result, Cameroon’s exclusive breastfeeding rate is currently 40%. WHO officials say the progress is fairly promising, but hope the country will achieve the 50% target in the next 6 years.

Exclusive breastfeeding: Experts tell their own story

A good number of women over the world have come to accept that exclusive breastfeeding is the most healthy nutritional choice for their babies however, not every mum is ready to take the challenge.
Medical experts continue to call on these women to keep aside their inhibitions and properly nourish their babies.
Yunga Patience , Reproductive Health Nurse, at the Logbaba District hospital, Douala says,
“Some women believe that their breasts will sag if they have to breastfeed their babies, for up to sixth months. But this has been an unfounded debate for so many years, and our response has not changed. Every woman should exclusively breastfeed their baby. There’s no need depriving a child from breastfeeding. Every woman’s breasts will sag whether she breastfeeds or not. Breastfeeding really has nothing to do with it”.
Exclusive breastfeeding is a difficult task for other women because they are career mums, and say they can’t be available to breastfeed the baby for 6 full months. Most of them also complain that breastmilk is not sufficient.
Mme Nguemtchueng Monica, Assistant Nursing Cordinator at the Chantal Biya Mother and Child Centre says mothers  need determination and commitment to exclusively breastfeed their babies.
” We encourage mums to express breastmilk and store for their babies. Breastmilk can be preserved at room temperature for up to 6 hours and in the refrigerator for 4days. Our main concern is hygiene, but if that is guaranteed, then exclusive breastmilk is possible. Nursing mums should enrich their meals with foods that can increase the flow of milk. In most tribes people drink palm wine, or eat some special traditional meals thay believe increases the flow of milk . Nursing mums can also drink lots of Ovaltine , but not beer”.
Socio-cultural pressure also contributes to the low rates of exclusive breastfeeding. Experts say a lot of women just want to add water or artificial milk to their baby’s diet because others are doing so. Most of these women also feel uncomfortable breastfeeding in public.
But the experts reiterate that exclusive breastfeeding is possible, and every nursing mum should ensure their babies are nourished as required.

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