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‘Breast Milk is Best!’ – Ebube Imana

‘Breast Milk is Best!’ – Ebube Imana

According to the World Health Organisation, “If every child was breastfed within an hour of birth, given only breast milk for their first six months of life, and continued breastfeeding up to the age of two years, about 220,000 child lives would be saved every year.”

When I had my first child, I was very sure I was going to breastfeed him for six months exclusively as recommended by the World Health Organisation and the American Academy of Paediatrics. In fact, I also decided I would continue till he was 2 years old.

However, I was not prepared for the shock I got! I did not start lactating until the 3rd day after delivery and even at that, it was painful and difficult to breastfeed! Nobody tells you this before you start…

We tried all means to get me to lactate, but none of them worked! The nurses and doctors just kept telling me to continue to put him to the breast!

By the third day after delivery, my milk started flowing but the baby was hungry all the time and I could hardly get any shut-eye at night or during the day. It was hard, and since I did not understand why he wanted to nurse all the time I assumed he wasn’t getting enough milk.

After about three weeks, I was ignorantly told that my milk was not enough for the baby and have to supplement with baby formula. It was painful to do this but I agreed and I never felt so guilty in all my life! I felt so bad, like I was cheating my son and wasn’t being a good mother.

So one night, I went on the internet, did some research and read up on breastfeeding and oh, I wish I had done that research before having the baby. I found out that I was not alone!!! And yes, breastfeeding was hard but I could do it! Oh, and my milk WAS enough for the baby.

That night I felt liberated and I purposed to put aside the baby formula and continued with breast milk only! It wasn’t easy but I was able to do it with the support of my husband and we didn’t give my son formula again till he was about six months. Even when I returned to work when he was just three months, I continued to express milk in the office and stored for him to take when I was not available to breastfeed him.

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I do not say this with any measure of pride, only with thanks to God that I was able to learn and get support to give the best to my child early enough. I finally weaned him off when he was almost 14 months old with tremendous pressure from hubby and friends to ‘stop giving that old man breast!’

The numerous breastfeeding challenges notwithstanding, I think breastfeeding is a necessary sacrifice every healthy mother should make for her baby. Read up on it and become knowledgeable and empowered!

Let’s celebrate the World Breastfeeding Week (1st – 7th of August 2015) by pledging to breastfeed exclusively and offering support to every nursing mother around us. We’ll have healthier children and in turn, a healthier world!

View Comments (21)
  • yea,so true.. Breast milk is the best.. i gave my daughter that during those days even when they said my breast will flatten but i couldnt help but gv her…

  • I breastfed my baby for 4month plus and I introduced formula afterward. She is 9month+ very energetic cute chubby and healthy we ve never being to d hospital except for immunization

  • I did 6 months no water, no formula for my 2 kids. Shout out to all the breastfeeding moms out there.

  • I totally agree with her, i breastfed my baby for the 1st 3 month, b4 giving him any other food….he’s strong and doesn’t fall ill. #breastmilkisthebest#

  • Is the best milk ever.

    Mummy, Mummy feed me with breast milk (2X)
    If you feed me with breast milk,
    I will grow to be your pride,
    I will grow to make the nation pride,
    Mummy feed me with breast Milk.

  • I breastfeed my baby exclusively for 6months she’s 20months now so active and health and she hardly fall sick

  • I exclusively breastfed my twins for 6 months 2 weeks despite the discouragement from friends and families who think I can never achieve it. Thanks to God for the courage and my hubby who stood by me and made my desire a reality. #feelsogreat##willdomoreformybabyontheway#.

  • I did exclusive for my first issue for 6months n stop @1yr but my second I do give breastmilk but no more exclusive. Motherhood rock

  • Will do it once I put to bed…. Say yes to exclusive breastfeeding… Can’t wait to be a mom

  • Breast milk is the best. One of the reasons God gave women breasts is so they can breastfeed their babies.

  • Did 6 months exclusive for my first kid but 4 months for the rest and introduced cereal I didn’t do formular

  • Truly,exclusive breastfeeding is the best.My child doesn’t fall sick.Glad I did it

  • I encourage people to breastfeed if they can because their is nothing like it I breastfeed my kids exclusively for 9 months and then introduce solid food and then stop breastfeeding after they turn 1

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