04 August 2024

KWAZULU-NATAL Health MEC Ms Nomagugu Simelane has urged young mothers not to deprive their babies of the massive benefits of breastmilk, out of fear that they may appear "unfashionable" or "backward" by breastfeeding.

As South Africa commemorates World Breastfeeding Week (from 1-7 August), MEC Simelane is calling on mothers to embrace breastfeeding as an essential gift that will give their babies the best possible start in life.

The MEC adds that babies who are breastfed exclusively for the first six months (without being given water; or formula; or other milks; or foods) will reap numerous health benefits, including a stronger immune system, and a much lower risk of various diseases, such as severe lower respiratory disease (chest infections / pneumonia), diarrhoea, asthma, obesity, or type 1 diabetes.

She is also calling on breastfeeding mothers to donate their milk at the Department's Human Milk Banks, which are available at many hospitals.

Speaking on her Department's weekly KZN Health Chat multimedia programme on Friday, MEC Simelane said: "Breastmilk contains all the nutrients that a baby needs. When babies are exclusively breastfed they receive anti-bodies from their mother, that can help their immunity against a number of childhood ailments, compared to those who are not breastfed.

"To the young mothers, we know that sometimes breastfeeding may appear as something that is not 'stylish' or 'fashionable'.  Some might even see it as a 'backward' practice [and decide not to breastfeed and use baby formula].  But, in order for your child to be healthy and strong, we are pleading with young mothers to breastfeed. There is nothing that surpasses a mother's breastmilk when it comes to the health of your newborn."

MEC Simelane is also urging breastfeeding mothers, who have excess breastmilk, to donate their milk,which can help vulnerable pre-term and sick babies, as well as mothers who are unable to supply sufficient milk for their babies admitted in hospital.

"Many of our hospitals have Human Milk Banks, which screen, collect, process, and distribute breastmilk. We are pleading with those who are breastfeeding to consider donating their excess breastmilk, so that they can help those babies who do not have access to their mother's own milk. This way, they can touch the lives of those who are less fortunate, and give them the precious gift of good health, a gift of life."

All healthy breastfeeding women can donate breastmilk. Those who would like to donate must undergo a screening procedure, which includes a questionnaire and health screening. Other criteria include that the donating mother must be:

• A non-smoker
• Non-drug and alcohol user
• Living a healthy lifestyle
• Willing to undergo screening procedures that include, among others, HIV testing, Syphilis, TB and Hepatitis B.

All donated breastmilk is tested, pasteurised, frozen and then supplied to vulnerable babies in need.

The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Health has Human Milk Banks at the following hospitals:

• Prince Mshiyeni Memorial Hospital;
• Addington Hospital;
• Grey's Hospital;
• Victoria Mxenge (Ex-King Edward VIII) Hospital;
• RK Khan Hospital;
• Ladysmith Hospital;
• Newcastle Hospital;
• Inkosi Albert Luthuli Central Hospital;
• Harry Gwala Regional Hospital (Ex-Edendale);
• Port Shepstone Hospital;
• Queen Nandi Memorial Hospital;
• Murchison Hospital;
• General Justice Gizenga Memorial Hospital;
• Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Hospital; and
• Christ the King Hospital.