World Breastfeeding Week: Supporting Mothers and Babies in Eswatini
Every year from 1–7 August, World Breastfeeding Week draws attention to the importance of breastfeeding and the support mothers need during the first months of their baby’s life.
Breastfeeding can provide important health and nutritional benefits for babies, but that doesn’t mean the journey is always easy.
For many new mothers, breastfeeding comes with questions, uncertainty and challenges they didn’t expect.
This World Breastfeeding Week, the conversation should therefore be about more than simply encouraging breastfeeding. It should also be about making sure mothers have access to reliable information, healthcare and practical support when they need it.
Breastfeeding Is Something Mothers and Babies Learn Together
There is often an expectation that breastfeeding will happen instinctively.
Sometimes it does.
Sometimes it takes time.
A new mother may experience difficulty with her baby’s latch, painful feeding, concerns about milk supply or uncertainty about whether her baby is feeding enough.
These experiences are common and do not mean that a mother is doing something wrong.
Getting guidance early can help identify problems and make feeding more comfortable for both mother and baby.
Why Is Breastfeeding Important?
Breast milk provides babies with the nutrients they need during their early development while also supporting their developing immune systems.
The World Health Organization recommends exclusive breastfeeding for approximately the first six months of life, followed by the introduction of appropriate complementary foods while breastfeeding continues up to two years of age or beyond where possible.
However, every mother and baby’s circumstances are different.
Medical conditions, medication, milk supply, work commitments and many other factors can influence how a baby is fed.
The most important thing is that mothers receive accurate advice and are supported in making safe, informed feeding decisions.
Breastfeeding Support Matters in Eswatini
Practical support can make a significant difference to a mother’s breastfeeding experience.
UNICEF Eswatini has highlighted that some mothers, particularly younger mothers, may struggle with breastfeeding and infant nutrition because they have not always had access to the information and guidance they need.
Support from healthcare workers, partners, families and communities can therefore play an important role in helping mothers feel more confident about feeding their babies.
Sometimes simply having someone available to answer a question can make a difficult situation feel far more manageable.
Common Breastfeeding Concerns
Some of the questions mothers may have include:
- Is my baby feeding often enough?
- Am I producing enough milk?
- Why does breastfeeding hurt?
- Is my baby’s latch correct?
- Can I breastfeed while taking medication?
- What should I do if my breast becomes painful or swollen?
- How do I express and store breast milk?
- Can I continue breastfeeding when I return to work?
- What happens if I become sick while breastfeeding?
These are all reasonable questions to discuss with a healthcare professional.
Is My Baby Getting Enough Milk?
It can be difficult to know exactly how much milk a breastfed baby is receiving.
Healthcare professionals therefore consider several factors when assessing feeding, including the baby’s growth, feeding behaviour, general wellbeing and wet nappies.
Seek medical advice if you are concerned that your baby is not feeding effectively, seems unusually sleepy, is producing fewer wet nappies than expected or is not gaining weight appropriately.
Babies who appear seriously unwell, have difficulty breathing, are difficult to wake or show signs of significant dehydration require urgent medical assessment.
When Breast Pain Shouldn’t Be Ignored
Some nipple tenderness may occur while mother and baby are learning to breastfeed, but significant or worsening pain should not simply be accepted as normal.
Speak to a healthcare professional if you develop:
- A hot, swollen or painful area of the breast
- Significant redness
- Fever
- Chills
- Flu-like symptoms
- Increasing breast pain
- Cracked nipples that are not healing
- Discharge that concerns you
Breast inflammation or an infection such as mastitis may sometimes require medical treatment.
Getting advice early can help prevent symptoms from becoming more severe.
What About Medication While Breastfeeding?
Many medications can be used while breastfeeding, but whether a particular medicine is appropriate depends on the medication, dose, mother’s health and baby’s age and health.
Don’t stop prescribed medication simply because you are breastfeeding without first discussing it with a healthcare professional.
Similarly, check before taking new over-the-counter medication, herbal remedies or supplements.
A doctor can assess your individual situation and advise you appropriately.
Returning to Work and Breastfeeding
Returning to work can create another challenge for breastfeeding mothers.
Planning ahead may make the transition easier.
This might include learning how to express breast milk, understanding how breast milk should be stored and discussing your baby’s feeding routine with their caregiver.
Where possible, women may also benefit from discussing suitable expressing breaks and a private space with their employer.
There is no perfect routine.
The aim is to find an approach that is safe and realistic for you and your baby.
Feeding Choices Should Be Supported, Not Judged
Not every mother will breastfeed exclusively.
Some mothers combine breastfeeding and formula feeding, while others may be unable or choose not to breastfeed.
Medical circumstances can also influence feeding decisions.
Healthcare conversations should focus on helping mothers understand their options and make safe decisions rather than creating guilt or judgement.
A supported mother is in a much better position to care for herself and her baby.
How TruMD Eswatini Can Help
Questions often arise between scheduled clinic visits, and travelling to a healthcare facility isn’t always convenient.
TruMD Eswatini gives patients access to qualified healthcare professionals through online consultations.
Mothers can speak to a healthcare professional about concerns such as:
- Breast pain or possible mastitis
- Medication while breastfeeding
- Fever or illness after giving birth
- General postpartum health concerns
- Feeding-related questions
- Symptoms affecting mother or baby
If an examination, additional testing or in-person treatment is required, your healthcare professional can advise you on the appropriate next step.
Supporting Every Mother This World Breastfeeding Week
Breastfeeding is not simply the responsibility of the mother.
Families, partners, employers, communities and healthcare providers can all contribute to creating an environment where mothers feel supported.
This World Breastfeeding Week, let’s make it easier for mothers to ask questions, access healthcare and receive the support they need.
Because when mothers are supported, babies benefit too.
Have a Breastfeeding or Postpartum Health Question?
With TruMD Eswatini, you can speak to a qualified healthcare professional online about your symptoms and concerns without having to begin every healthcare journey with a trip to a consulting room.
Reliable healthcare advice can be just a consultation away.
