40 per cent of the iTaukei women are not breastfeeding
Dr Tukana urged young women to breastfeed their children which contains vitamins and nutrients that babies need in the first six months
Recent studies have shown that 40 per cent of the iTaukei women in Fiji are not breastfeeding their babies. This was highlighted by the National advisor for Non-Communicable Disease (NCD) Dr Isimeli Tukana at the Methodist Annual Youth Camp at Subrail Park in Labasa.
Dr Tukana urged young women to breastfeed their children which contains vitamins and nutrients that babies need in the first six months.
“To you mothers or about to become mothers, I am pleading with you today to breastfeed your child,” Dr Tukana said. “Breast milk is best for your baby and the benefits of breastfeeding extend well beyond basic nutrition.
“In addition to containing all the vitamins and nutrients your baby needs in the first six months of life, breast milk is packed with diseasefighting substances that protect your baby from illness.
“Breastfeeding is a natural gift from God which is free. “Baby milk which are sold at the shop are expensive while the breast milk is free; it is natural and is a gift from God to all women. “When you breastfeed your baby you will not need to wake up late at night to heat the water, make the baby’s milk, wait for it to cool and then breastfeed your baby,” he said.
Dr Tukana said breastfeeding has long-term benefits in terms of NCD prevention and reduced risk of chronic illness.
“The World Health Organisation recommends early initiation of breastfeeding, within the first hour after birth and exclusive breastfeeding for six months, followed by continued breastfeeding for two years or beyond with the addition of timely, adequate, safe proper food,” he added