Westmoreland Health Workers March to Promote Breastfeeding

Scores of primary-care professionals from Westmoreland Public Health Services took to the streets of Little London on Thursday (September 20) for a march in support of breastfeeding.

The event was part of activities for National Breastfeeding Week from September 16 to 22 under the theme ‘Breastfeeding: Foundation of Life’.

It commenced at the Little London Health Centre and culminated at Madison Pharmacy in the town square.

Assistant Nutritionist at Westmoreland Public Health Services, Gladoris Robinson-Reid, told JIS News that the event was in keeping with the Ministry of Health’s thrust to raise the percentage of breastfeeding mothers in the parish.

“Breastfeeding rates now are less than 50 per cent (for babies) up to six months old in Westmoreland, and we would want to get it up to 50 per cent, which is what is globally recommended. That’s the goal we want to reach at minimum,” she noted.

She said that the march was held to “generate buzz about breastfeeding. We want to inform the public about the benefits to the mother, the baby, the family… .  We want to just promote and galvanise support towards breastfeeding”.

Mrs. Robinson-Reid underscored the role of fathers in ensuring that more mothers breastfeed.

“That is why they (fathers) were targeted this morning, to tell them that we (mothers) can do it if you give support, and how beneficial and low-cost it is to breastfeed,” she said.

Mrs. Robinson-Reid, in highlighting the benefits of breast milk, noted that it aids in the development of a child’s bones, contributes to the growth and function of the child’s brain and is an overall “super food” for babies.