Enabling Breastfeeding for a Healthier Generation

by
1 min read
b r

As World Breastfeeding Week approaches, it’s important to recognize and promote the benefits of breastfeeding while understanding the challenges faced by working parents. This year’s theme, “Enabling Breastfeeding: Making a Difference for Working Parents,” emphasizes the need for support for breastfeeding, particularly in the workplace.

City Health Promotes Exclusive Breastfeeding

Breastfeeding provides numerous benefits for a child’s overall development, and City Health has been promoting exclusive breastfeeding as part of the provincial breastfeeding restoration plan. The goal is to have at least 50% of mothers breastfeeding their babies.

Newsletter

Stay Informed • Cape Town

Get breaking news, events, and local stories delivered to your inbox daily. All the news that matters in under 5 minutes.

Join 10,000+ readers
No spam, unsubscribe anytime

Infant Feeding Counselors Educate New Mothers

To increase awareness and education about breastfeeding, City Health has employed a group of Infant Feeding Counselors (IFCs) since 2021. These IFCs engage with new mothers visiting clinics, informing them about the benefits and practicalities of exclusive breastfeeding.

Success Story: Phumlani Clinic

The success story of Phumlani Clinic in Mitchell’s Plain demonstrates the power of ongoing education, awareness drives, and support for mothers. The IFC facilitated 176 breastfeeding education sessions between August 2022 and mid-June 2023, engaging with 2,548 postnatal clients. As a result, the facility’s exclusive breastfeeding rate nearly doubled from 35% to 69%.

Supporting Breastfeeding in the Workplace

One significant challenge faced by breastfeeding mothers is the lack of support in their workplace. Many mothers transition to formula feeding after maternity leave, as they are unable to express or store breast milk during the workday.

City Health Conducts Outreach Program

In response to this issue, City Health conducted an outreach program at In2Food in Strand on August 1, addressing the benefits of breastfeeding, policies around breastfeeding in the workplace, and how workplaces can become breastfeeding-friendly spaces.

Creating Enabling Spaces for Breastfeeding Mothers

Councillor Van der Ross encouraged employers to evaluate their existing facilities and consider creating enabling spaces for breastfeeding mothers. The City has taken steps towards this goal, launching its first Mother’s Lounge earlier this year.

Breastfeeding provides numerous long-term health and developmental benefits for children, and supporting mothers in healthcare facilities and workplaces is crucial to achieving higher breastfeeding rates and ensuring the well-being of future generations. Stakeholders, including healthcare providers and employers, must work together to create an environment where breastfeeding is encouraged and supported.

A Russian-Spanish journalist and Cape Town native, channels his lifelong passion for South Africa into captivating stories for his local blog. With a diverse background and 50 years of rich experiences, Serjio's unique voice resonates with readers seeking to explore Cape Town's vibrant culture. His love for the city shines through in every piece, making Serjio the go-to source for the latest in South African adventures.

View all

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.

rhino poaching south africa
Previous Story

South Africa’s Efforts to Combat Rhino Poaching

c o
Next Story

The Impact of Western Cape Police Oversight and Community Safety on Rural Areas

Latest from Blog

Medical Prodigy South African Education

A Teenager in a White Coat: How One Student Shattered South Africa’s Medical Age Record

{“summary”: “Imagine a whiz kid, David Obagbuwa, who started high school at 11 and became a doctor at just 21! He shattered South Africa’s medical age record, proving that a sharp mind and hard work can achieve amazing things. From classrooms in KwaZuluNatal to intense medical studies, David tackled every challenge. Even during lockdown, he quickly mastered his courses. Now, he’s ready to help people, showing that big dreams can come true, no matter how young you are.”}

Cape Epic Disability Inclusion

Martian Dust, Carbon ankles & a R4-million Promise: Inside the 2026 Cape Epic’s Mobility Rebellion

Get ready for the 2026 Cape Epic, but this isn’t just any bike race! Three special teams, using amazing robotic legs and carbon ankles, will tackle the tough trails. They’re racing to raise R4 million to buy 200 new prosthetic limbs, 150 wheelchairs, and 50 sports blades for people in South Africa who need them. Every pedal stroke helps someone gain freedom and move again, showing that movement is for everyone, not just a few. This epic journey turns sweat into hope, changing lives one kilometer at a time.

Cape Town Extortion

Cape Town’s Shadow State: How Extortion Became the New Township Taxman

Cape Town has a big problem: bad guys are shaking down businesses and projects for money. They act like “taxmen” in townships, making building costs shoot up and forcing small shops to close. These criminals cause fear, stop important work, and even kill people who get in their way. It’s like a shadow government taking over, making life hard for everyone and costing the city tons of money. People are scared, and it’s unclear how this dangerous situation will ever truly end.

Firefighting Leadership

The Woman Who Taught Cape Town to Breathe Under Fire

Arlene Wehr taught Cape Town how to fight fires like a boss! She was one of the first women firefighters and totally changed the game. Arlene created cool new ways to find water, like “Operation Liquid Grid,” and made sure everyone had a chance to become a firefighter, even women. Because of her, Cape Town is safer, and the fire department is much more welcoming to all.

Morea House luxury hotel

Morea House: Where the Atlantic Meets Art, Granite and Ghost-Nets

Morea House is Cape Town’s first fancy Marriott hotel, born from an old 1960s building. It shines with blushpink walls and art made from old fishing nets, making it feel truly special. This hotel is all about local beauty, from its design to its food, and even how it saves the planet. Imagine rooftop pools, unique spa experiences, and rooms where you wake up to amazing views. It’s a place where every detail tells a story of the ocean and the land, making your stay unforgettable.