The Wa Municipal Nutrition Officer of the Ghana Health Service (GHS), Madam Esther Peace Ankye, has advised lactating mothers to practice exclusive breastfeeding of their babies to ensure healthy growth and development of the babies.
She urged them to place premium on the breastfeeding of their babies saying that, proper breastfeeding of babies is very important as it provides the baby with the necessary energy for proper growth.
Madam Ankye gave the advice on Wednesday, August 10, 2022 in an interview on Info Radio’s morning show “Zienyaaye Upper West” with host Gabriel Mwini.
She thus urged breastfeeding mothers to practice exclusive breastfeeding for six months –that is, without food and water– which she said helped in the proper development of the baby.
“Babies are supposed to be breastfed exclusively for six months, and after the six months, they can be fed with other food alongside the breastmilk for at least two years,” she explained.
Madam Ankye also advised breastfeeding mothers to breastfeed their babies at all times including the night time.
“The baby must to breastfed every with 30 minutes, and breastfeeding mothers should wake their babies at night to breastfeed when they have slept for long,” she advised.
Madam Ankye said childbirth comes with breastfeeding and, therefore, admonished expectant mothers to make their minds to feed their babies with breasts milk.
She cautioned pregnant women and lactating mothers to desist from self-medication as it has dire consequences on their lives and that of their babies saying “they should seek medical advice from health professionals.”