GHS advise Mothers not to halt breastfeeding due to COVID-19

Breastfeeding mothers have been advised not to stop breastfeeding due to the COVID-19 pandemic and its social distancing requirement.

This was according to a midwife at the Antenatal Care (ANC) department of the Bono Regional Hospital Susana Tiwaa.

According to her, even though there is the need to ensure social distancing during the pandemic, it does not mean mothers should not breastfeed their babies.

She made the call as the Ghana Health Service Commemorated the World Breastfeeding day saying the pandemic is even enough reason to exclusively breastfeed babies to keep them safe.                   

The Ghana Health Service has launched this year’s breastfeeding week celebration with a call on the government to protect and promote women’s access to skilled breastfeeding counselling.

The annual week, celebrated in the first week of August was being observed globally on the theme, "Protect breastfeeding: a shared responsibility."

It focuses on how breastfeeding contributes to the survival, health and wellbeing of all. The celebration was to recognize the threats and opportunities of breastfeeding practices and to maximize potential global communication on the benefits of appropriate breastfeeding.

Midwife Susana Tiwaa however cleared the assertion that some mothers find it difficult breastfeeding their babies saying the best ways are always thought at antenatal.

Speaking on Ark FM Mid-day news, the midwife urged all pregnant mothers to take their ANC serious to avoid any such problems.

Nana Ama Asiedu, Bono Region