…Infected mothers can exclusively breastfeed babies – Expert

Th e Director, Gombe state Hospital Services, Dr. James Emmanuel Mahadi, has said that nursing mothers living with HIV “can exclusively breastfeed their babies for the six fi rst six months like every other woman. Mahadi stated this yesterday while presenting a paper during a round table meeting of stakeholders in health sector in the state organised by the Save the Children International to commiserate the world breastfeed week in the state.

“Th e comfort that comes with breast feeding when we look at the healthy component that makes breast milk the best possible start we can give our young ones,” he said. He said protein, carbohydrates, fat, minerals, water and vitamins were some of the nutritional components in breast milk that enhanced healthy growth in children and breast milk also contained anti-bodies that protected the body from infections. “Every child should be provided with breast milk because every child has a right to good nutrition and good health.

” Mahadi added that breastfeeding “is not a onewoman job and mothers need support from there, families, health providers, communities, and governments to give their children the healthiest possible start to life,” adding that breastfeeding “protects children from illness, increases IQ, and creates a strong bond between mother and child.” Also speaking, the state Field Manager of the organisation, Altine Lawi, urged mothers to adopt the six-month period of exclusive breastfeeding of their newborn babies.

She said exclusive breastfeeding would enhance the health of mothers and their children, as well as improve the immune system of the babies against killer diseases.

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