Early initiation of breastfeeding is on the decline, especially in urban areas, despite the recommendation from World Health Organization (WHO) for mothers to begin breastfeeding within the first hour after birth. This early initiation is crucial as it provides newborns with essential nutrients and antibodies, giving them a healthy start in life.
Speaking during the World Breastfeeding Week, Purity Kibe, a nutritionist with the Ministry of Health, emphasized that breastfeeding is a fundamental right protected under the constitution.
She stated, “Article 53 (1c) of the constitution grants every child the right to basic nutrition, shelter, and healthcare. We have embedded this policy into the constitution to ensure that every child receives the recommended breastfeeding, especially early initiation breastfeeding which gives children the same start in life regardless of their social economic status”
Early initiation of breastfeeding and subsequent exclusive breastfeeding for six months is beneficial to the baby and the mother as breast milk contains antibodies that protects against diseases especially diarrhea and respiratory infection, this helps reduce infant mortality. Long term benefits for the baby include reduced risk of obesity and diabetes in adulthood children who have been breastfed have also shown to have higher IQ.
According to the Kenya Demographic and Health Survey (KDHS), only 63 per cent of mothers breast feed within the first hour after birth in rural areas compared to 55 per cent in urban areas. Additionally, bottle feeding has also increased significantly from 22 percent in 2014 to 34 percent in 2022. This year’s World Breastfeeding Week theme focuses on ‘closing the gap: Breastfeeding support for all.’
For the mother early initiation of breastfeeding can facilitate the expulsion of placenta because the baby suckling stimulates uterine contractions, breastfeeding has also been shown to reduce the risk of breast and ovarian cancer.
However, there is a noticeable gap in adherence to breast feeding. According to KDHS, the rate of mothers initiating breastfeeding within the first hour after birth has decreased from 2014 to 2022. Currently, only 60 per cent of infants are breastfed within an hour of delivery, despite 89 per cent of these births occurring with the assistance of skilled health professional. This delay in breastfeeding can negatively impact the baby’s health and nutrition, highlighting the need for increased awareness and support.
To plug these gaps the government has enforced laws and regulations to support breast feeding mothers, in Kenya mothers gets three months guaranteed maternity leave and two weeks paternity leave for the men. This act is protected under the Employment Act 2012.
Employers are also expected to provide a clean and private area for mothers to express breast milk and have access to storage according to the Health Act section 71 and 72.
The health community, including UNICEF, Action against Hunger, and other civil society organizations, are doing their best to advocate for better breastfeeding practices. Currently, there is a bill in consideration to further support these efforts.
The Breastfeeding Mothers’ Bill, championed by Honorable Sabina Chege, is an essential legislative initiative that seeks to enhance workplace support for breastfeeding mothers. As it enters its second hearing, the bill emphasizes the need for workplaces to provide designated breastfeeding stations. This policy framework is particularly crucial for mothers in formal sectors, who often struggle with breastfeeding due to the lack of suitable facilities. Without adequate support, many mothers resort to breast milk substitutes, which can undermine the benefits of breastfeeding.
Addressing developments in breastfeeding guidelines Purity Kibe assured that early initiation breastfeeding is possible for anyone even mothers who have undergone Caesarian Section.
“Statistically early initiation of breastfeeding is higher during normal delivery this is because of the nature of the delivery but according to according to new WHO guidelines if the mother is a lot you can initiate breastfeeding as the doctor is attending to the mother another health care worker can help the mother breastfeed this will help upscale early initiation breastfeeding.” She said.
