“The results of the Zimbabwe Demographic Health Survey of 2010-2011 present a worrying scenario on infant and young child feeding. The early introduction of other food or drinks is a cause for concern as it marks the end of exclusive breastfeeding with its protective and nutritional benefits,” said Madzima in his key note address during a breastfeeding awareness seminar last week.
The Global Strategy for Infant and Young Child Feeding adopted by the World Health Organisation and UNICEF states that the optimal feeding pattern for child survival is exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months, regardless of HIV status.
Continued breastfeeding for up to two years and beyond is recommended with complementary feeding from the age of six months together with related maternal nutrition and support.
Madzima said breastfeeding was one of the key pillars of child survival against malnutrition and diarrheal diseases.
“Recent evidence suggests that globally, malnutrition is responsible for the death of 3,1 million children under the age of five every year; about 45 percent of total child deaths,” he said.
Madzima said a study conducted on breastfeeding identified various barriers due to knowledge gaps and misconceptions on breastfeeding.
“In addition, social influences based on adherence to cultural beliefs and child care practices such as kuyamwira (when a breastfeeding mother falls pregnant) and mixed messages on HIV and infant feeding have left some mothers confused and under pressure to practice mixed feeding,” he said.
The seminar was part of the preparations of World Breastfeeding Week commemorations to be held during the first week of August in Binga under the theme “Breastfeeding Support: Close to Mothers”.
“The theme for this year is focusing on peer support for breastfeeding mothers,” added Madzima
Post published in: News