Nomtsikelelo Mthabela

This week marks the start of World Breastfeeding Week.

The theme for this year is to support breastfeeding for a healthier planet.

Happy Mchunu is a new mom who was really looking forward to breastfeeding her little bundle of joy, but things took a different turn when her daughter was born at 30 weeks and due to her stress levels being so high she was having a difficult time breastfeeding.

According to the World Health Organisation, breastfeeding provides every child with the best possible start in life as it delivers health, nutritional and emotional benefits to both children and mothers.

“There is so much stigma thrown at women who cannot breastfeed their babies, at times I would ask myself if there was something that I was doing wrong, but if we as society could be educated better about breastfeeding we would know how to support each other instead of being judgmental because it doesn’t come natural to other mothers as most people would assume,” said Mchunu.

Health Minister Dr Zweli Mkhize has encouraged all mothers to exclusively breastfeed their babies for the first six months of life before introducing other foods.

Breastfeeding is a priceless experience that every mother deserves to feel, added Mchunu.

Picture: FAMILYAPP.COM