As Kenya marks World Breastfeeding Week 2026, nurses are urging young and first-time mothers to verify breastfeeding information obtained online with qualified healthcare professionals to safeguard the health and wellbeing of both mother and child.
This year’s World Breastfeeding Week, observed from August 1 to 7, is being marked under the theme “Breastfeeding for a Sustainable Start in Life: Strengthen What Works,” highlighting the importance of evidence-based support for mothers.
Health experts note that while digital platforms have improved access to information, the accuracy of breastfeeding advice available online varies widely, making professional guidance essential.
Speaking to the Kenya News Agency (KNA), Joyce Gichuru, a 27-year-old mother of one, said online resources played a critical role in helping her navigate the challenges of motherhood after giving birth two years ago.
Without a primary caregiver to guide her, Gichuru said she often relied on the internet to learn about proper breastfeeding techniques, maternal nutrition, managing nipple cracks, expressing and storing breast milk, and maintaining hygiene for feeding equipment.
Despite finding online information useful, she emphasized the importance of confirming such advice with healthcare providers during routine clinic visits.
“Whenever I attended my clinic appointments, I would ask nurses to verify the information and remedies I had found online. They would explain what was safe, what was outdated and what could be harmful. This helped me make informed decisions for my baby,” she said.
Elizabeth Wanjiru, a nurse at Kiambu Level 5 Hospital, said many young and first-time mothers are increasingly turning to social media platforms, parenting blogs and online forums for breastfeeding guidance before consulting professionals.
“Online information is easily accessible, but its quality and accuracy are not always guaranteed. This underscores the need for mothers to seek evidence-based guidance from qualified healthcare providers,” she said.
Wanjiru noted that lack of confidence is one of the most common challenges among new mothers, particularly in the early weeks after childbirth.
“Many first-time mothers worry about whether they are producing enough milk, whether their babies are latching correctly, or how to interpret feeding cues. These concerns can create anxiety and uncertainty,” she explained.
According to the nurse, such uncertainty may lead to the premature introduction of infant formula, often driven by misconceptions about insufficient milk supply or pressure from family members.
She emphasized that breast milk alone is sufficient to meet the nutritional needs of most infants during the first six months of life.
“Introducing porridge, water or other foods too early may fill the baby’s stomach without providing the same nutritional value and immune protection as breast milk. It also increases the risk of infections such as diarrhea,” Wanjiru cautioned.
The Ministry of Health continues to promote optimal breastfeeding practices through the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI), implemented in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF.
Under the programme, health facilities are encouraged to support mothers to initiate breastfeeding immediately after birth, provide counselling on exclusive breastfeeding, address common breastfeeding challenges and discourage unnecessary use of breastmilk substitutes unless medically indicated.
By Rose Muthoni
