Murang’a County, in partnership with various stakeholders, is set to host this year’s World Breastfeeding Week, during which a campaign to promote exclusive breastfeeding and strengthen community support for mothers will be unveiled.
The thrust of the campaign will centre on raising awareness about the importance of initiating breastfeeding immediately after birth, breastfeeding infants exclusively for the first six months, and continuing breastfeeding alongside complementary feeding for up to two years.
Speaking during a stakeholders’ forum on preparations for the event, Murang’a County Deputy Director of Health, Dr. Kairo Kimende, said the national celebration of the breast-feeding week will be held at Kigumo Level 4 Hospital on August 1.
Doctor Kimende observed that breastfeeding remains the most effective way of ensuring healthy growth and protecting children from preventable illnesses.
“The future of our community depends on the health of our babies. Proper breastfeeding and showing mothers how to breastfeed correctly is not only the responsibility of the mother but of the entire household,” said Kimende.
He said many cases of pneumonia and other childhood illnesses are linked to poor breastfeeding practices.
“Most of the children we see with pneumonia and other illnesses are affected by poor breastfeeding habits. Early initiation and exclusive breastfeeding help prevent these illnesses,” Dr. Kimende said.
Kimende also decried the increasing reliance on bottle feeding, saying it has risen from about 24 percent a few years ago to nearly 30 percent.
“Bottle feeding weakens the bond between a mother and her baby, and in many cases the child does not receive the right nutrients.”
County Nutrition Coordinator Nancy Mwangi observed that the county has made significant progress in promoting exclusive breastfeeding, with the current rate standing at 68 percent.
“Although we have achieved a 68 percent exclusive breastfeeding rate, there are still about 40 percent of children who are not being breastfed as recommended. Employment remains one of the major barriers, which is why mothers need support in workplaces,” she noted.
Mwangi said the county has established mother support groups where community health promoters mentor women on proper breastfeeding practices.
“We have trained more than 1,900 community health promoters through the Baby-Friendly Initiative, and the county has set aside Sh20 million to support these interventions,” Mwangi added.
The nutritionist further revealed that Murang’a County has established lactation stations at health facilities, including Kirwara Hospital, while another is set to be commissioned at Kigumo Sub-County Hospital during the World Breastfeeding Week celebrations.
County Reproductive Health Coordinator Caroline Macharia encouraged expectant mothers to attend antenatal clinics early, saying maternal health directly influences the health of newborns.
“Pregnant mothers should begin their pregnancy journey early through antenatal care because when the mother is healthy during pregnancy, the baby is more likely to be born healthy,” she explained.
Macharia said healthcare workers advocate for mothers to initiate breastfeeding immediately after delivery, exclusively breastfeed their babies for the first six months and continue breastfeeding alongside complementary feeding for up to two years to promote healthy growth and development.
As Murang’a joins the rest of the world in commemorating World Breastfeeding Week, health officials are calling on families, employers and the wider community to work together in creating an environment where every mother is supported to breastfeed successfully, ensuring healthier children and stronger communities.
By Bernard Munyao
