Breastfeeding: more than a way of feeding, an investment for life

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Extract from the article: According to the World Health Organization (WHO), universal breastfeeding could prevent nearly 400,000 child deaths and around 140,000 maternal deaths every year. How and why can breastfeeding, sometimes seen as an act of love and sometimes as a trad

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According to the World Health Organization (WHO), universal breastfeeding could prevent nearly 400,000 child deaths and around 140,000 maternal deaths every year. How and why can breastfeeding, sometimes seen as an act of love and sometimes as a traditional expectation, be considered an investment for a lifetime? Midwife Nicole Temgoua (Cameroon) provides some answers.

Beyond being simply a way of feeding a baby, midwife Nicole Temgoua explains that breastfeeding is a genuine public health measure, with lasting benefits for both infants and mothers.

Significant benefits for babies

Mrs. Nicole Temgoua points out that breast milk provides infants with the essential nutrients they need for growth. It also strengthens their immune systems and protects them against many infections, she adds.

In their joint statement launching World Breastfeeding Week (WBW), held from August 1 to 7, WHO and UNICEF reported a significant increase in breastfeeding rates through the age of two. The rate rose from 38% to 50% over the past five years.

The midwife also emphasizes that breastfeeding helps reduce the risks of malnutrition, obesity and certain chronic diseases in children. It also supports brain development and strengthens the emotional bond between mother and baby.

Benefits for mothers too

Breastfeeding does not benefit infants alone. It also helps mothers recover after childbirth and contributes to reducing the risk of postpartum hemorrhage.

For Mrs. Nicole Temgoua, breastfeeding also helps reduce the risk of breast and ovarian cancer. It can also contribute to the natural spacing of pregnancies when the conditions for the method are met.

“Supporting a breastfeeding mother means investing in the health of future generations,” she warns.

Strengthening support for young mothers

Despite these benefits, many young mothers still face difficulties in successfully breastfeeding their babies. “Support and information are therefore essential to help them overcome the challenges associated with breastfeeding,” the midwife explains.

The international community is therefore calling on countries to strengthen breastfeeding support and health systems. The aim is to ensure that every child has a healthy start in life.

Beyond the bond between mother and child, breastfeeding is therefore a long-term investment in the health of families and future generations.

Elom AKAKPO