Exclusive breastfeeding promotes child growth - Paediatrician
Nursing mothers in Ghana have been urged to cultivate the habit of practising exclusive breastfeeding for the effective growth and development of their children.
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With exclusive breastfeeding, babies undergo feeding solely on breast milk for at least six months, with no solid food or infant formula.
The appeal was made by Dr Maame Yaa Nyarko, a Paediatrician at the Princes Marie Children’s Hospital in Accra, during the launch of Philips’s AVENT’s Baby of the Year Competition. The competition forms part of Philips 30th anniversary celebrations.
The competition, which is on the theme, “The tiny things that make the biggest difference,’’ entitles parents to send pictures of their babies aged 0-18 months, together with their dates and places of birth, as well as 30 words to describe the babies’ winning personalities.
The winning personality refers to what makes a baby unique from other babies.
A judging panel will then select the top 30 babies based on the best pictures and descriptions, with a public vote via PA’s Facebook page (Facebook/PhilipsAVENTGhana), from October 25 to November 8, 2014.
Three finalists will win prizes, including a photo-shoot by a leading photographer, and will also receive a hamper containing Philips AVENT products.
Breast feeding awareness
Addressing the audience, Dr Nyarko stated that breast milk contained an essential amount of nutrients which did not only benefit the child, but the mother as well.
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According to her, breast feeding could prevent the risk of mothers developing ovarian and breast cancers, adding it also aided in the fast involution of the uterus with decrease in post-partum bleeding.
Emphasising the health risks of poor nutrition, she added that improper feeding mechanisms in early infancy could lead to under-nutrition or over-nutrition in children.
In his address, the Chief Executive Officer of Philips West Africa, Mr Abdallah Khamis, expressed his joy at the anniversary celebrations.
He explained that the main objective of Philips AVENT was to help mothers feel more confident and reassured, adding “we have been able to provide mothers with appropriate children materials which have helped in tremendous ways.’’
He also unveiled television personality, Mrs Kokui Selormey, as Brand Ambassador for Philips AVENT.
Mrs Selormey, in her address, stated that together with the organisation, a breast feeding awareness campaign had been initiated.