The Minister of Health Edwin Dikoloti told residents of Tutume village today that evidence shows that in Botswana, about 65% of newborns get early initiation of breastfeeding, but only 20% of babies are exclusively breastfed.
He said the World Health Organization (WHO) also recommends that babies be breastfed for two years and beyond, with the introduction of complementary food at six months of age.
The theme for this year was 'Enable breastfeeding; making a difference for working mothers'.
“Many medical studies have persistently shown that continued breastfeeding safeguards the health and nutrition status of young children as they grow. "When few people get sick, it means that we can spend less on medical care. In the end, this can have a positive impact on households and the nation’s economy,” he said.
The minister said this shows that many babies are introduced to either solids or other fluids at a very tender age, which exposes them to infections. Dikoloti added that the evidence thus far presented shows that supporting and protecting the breastfeeding practice, will in fact be making a huge contribution to the health system.
He said the WHO recommends that infants be fed breast milk exclusively for the first six months after birth.
This, therefore, means that a baby who is below six months old, should be given breast milk only and nothing else; not even water, unless it is medically advised.
With that regard, he said the theme also highlights the importance of breastfeeding in fighting off certain diseases and conditions.
He said for instance, malnutrition, especially stunting, remains relatively high amongst children under the age of five in Botswana and other countries in the developing world.
The minister said a national survey conducted in Botswana in 2017 indicated that 21% of children under five were stunted (that is, too short for their age); 7.5 percent were underweight, and another 7.5 percent were wasted (too thin).
