Well Being Africa (WBA), celebrated the World Breastfeeding Week 2021 on Thursday 5th August 2021 in partnership with the Daspoort Policlinic and the dietetics and physiotherapy students of the University of Pretoria. During the event, mothers were educated about various aspects of breastfeeding through practical demonstrations. The presentations included appropriate positions for breastfeeding, preventing and treating common problems in breastfeeding e.g. engorgement, as well as expressing breast milk and storage. Mothers were also presented with a hands-on session on complementary food by using locally available foods and the preparation method. The theme for WBW 2021 is “Protect breastfeeding – a shared responsibility ”.
Dr. Debbie Kupolati, the CEO of WBA, addressed the mothers by commending their decision to breastfeed their babies. She acknowledged the fact that breastfeeding as simple as it sounds, is nevertheless an easy task. Therefore, everyone connected with a breastfeeding mom must offer support to help the mom breastfeed effectively. Likewise, the communities, workplaces, and the social system must be supportive of breastfeeding. By so doing, the theme for WBW 2021 protecting breastfeeding could be actualised as a shared responsibility. To demonstrate WBA’s continued support for breastfeeding and in celebrating WBW 2021, Dr. Kupolati announced the sponsorship of 10 pregnant mothers to participate in the ante-natal flourish classes for expecting mothers. The Grow Great flourish visit is an initiative that enables the face-to-face antenatal and postnatal support group through community-based classes.
Notable achievements
- Mothers improved skills on certain aspects of breastfeeding and infant feeding such as complementary foods preparation.
- Mothers increased knowledge on breastfeeding practices and support.
- Ten pregnant mothers will be sponsored to access the Flourish ante-natal visits.
Acknowledgements
The UNICEF One Health project is gratefully acknowledged for the financial support to the dietetics and physiotherapy students of the University of Pretoria. Also, we express our gratitude to the DG Murray Trust for funding the Pilot Breastfeeding Support project in Daspoort, Pretoria West, South Africa.