World Breastfeeding Week is being commemorated between 1 and 7 August. With that in mind, the City of Cape Town wants to jumpstart the static breastfeeding rate. Nationally, the target is to have 50% of children under the age of 6 months being exclusively breastfed by 2025. Here in Cape Town, some clinics have hit the mark, but the overall assessment is that more needs to be done.
Jumpstarting the static breastfeeding rate
Breastfeeding takes centre stage annually between 1 and 7 August, during World Breastfeeding Week. The theme this year is ‘closing the gap – breastfeeding support for all’.
City Health is a major advocate for breastfeeding, particularly its importance in a child’s first 1000 days.
World Breastfeeding Week
The right to nutrition during this window can profoundly impact a child’s ability to develop and learn. Breastfeeding is one of the key interventions for building the foundation of healthy development during this period.
City Health has been advocating for breastfeeding as part of its Basic Antenatal Care (BANC) programme.
Breastfeeding support for all
In recent years, the department introduced an Infant Feeding Counsellors (IFC) pilot project at some clinics, to drive education and awareness efforts with new mothers. One of the shining examples in the project was Langa Clinic, where the exclusive breastfeeding rate accelerated from 28% in July 2023, to 88% in May 2024.
The Mayoral Committee Member for Community Services and Health, Councillor Patricia Van der Ross says, “Children who are breastfed have a reduced vulnerability to childhood disease and illness, so an investment in breastfeeding, is an investment in your child’s health.”
In this financial year, City Health will continue to invest in training and mentoring for clinic staff to expand its breastfeeding advocacy reach.
All women can breastfeed unless medically indicated due to medication that is contraindicated for breastfeeding that will be harmful to the baby.
Breastmilk is always the right start for all babies. Nearly half of diarrhoea cases and a third of respiratory infections is due to a lack of breastfeeding and poor infant feeding practices.
Tips for moms or soon-to-be moms:
“If you breastfeed on demand for as long as the baby wants, that will ensure enough breastmilk supply for as long as the baby needs it.
“Relax and embrace breastfeeding to ensure milk flow
“Breastfeeding is affordable and will also help reduce your carbon footprint
THIS ARTICLE WAS COMPILED BY THE COMMUNICATION AND MEDIA STAFF AT THE CITY OF CAPE TOWN.
