Health officials in Kasese District are raising alarms over the increasing trend of early weaning, the practice of stopping breastfeeding before a child reaches six months of age. The concerns come as Kasese District joins the rest of the country to mark for breastfeeding week.
World Breastfeeding Week is an annual global campaign held from August 1 to 7th protect, promote, and support breastfeeding. Health workers warn that early weaning leads to poor child development and physical complications for nursing mothers.
Sarah Sirimwenge, a mother of six from Bwesumbu Sub-county, shared her painful experience, noting that abrupt weaning causes significant physical distress to the mother and deprives the child of vital nutrients essential for growth. However, she says many mothers are forced to put babies off, due to fatigue and work.
Scovia Biira, a mother of two from Rugendabara Town Council, agrees that early weaning creates a lose-lose situation for both mother and child. Biira who has delivered at Rukoki General Hopital says with the awareness she has got, she will breatsf eed her baby until she is two years.
At Rukoki General Hospital, Doreen Asiimwe, the Incharge of the Maternity and Labour Suite, explained that children weaned too early often suffer from rapid weight loss and lack of physical activity. She also warns against practices such as husbands suckling the mother’s breasts, which can introduce infections harmful to the baby.
Asiimwe, is urging their fellow mothers to breastfeed for at least two years to promote optimal child growth. During this week, health officials are reinforcing the global recommendation; exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months, followed by continued breastfeeding alongside safe complementary foods-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
