In the wake of Melissa, breastfeeding keeps babies safe

IN THE days leading up to Hurricane Melissa, Niesha Smith, a mother in Lacovia, St Elizabeth, did what many other Jamaicans did – she stocked up on non-perishable items such as dry food and tinned goods. She filled her pantry with enough to keep her household fed for several days.

However, when she looked at her three-month-old daughter, Daniela, she felt a quiet sense of relief as feeding her baby would not be another worry.

Since the storm, Smith has been without electricity and running water. Like many in her community, she faces daily challenges such as keeping food safe, accessing clean water, getting her phone charged, and coming to terms with the devastation around her.

“For us adults, we just work with it, but when you have a baby, every little thing matters,” she said.

For Smith, however, concerns about her baby’s welfare are less overwhelming because Daniela is still breastfeeding. She does not have to worry about formula spoiling, finding safe water to mix feeds, or sterilising bottles. She believes that if Daniela is healthy and hydrated, she has everything she needs.

“Breastfeeding really helps me care for and nourish my daughter. It is convenient because it is ready to go. Water has been a major challenge since the hurricane, and the cost has gone up significantly, but it doesn’t cost me anything to breastfeed my baby, and it’s more nutritious,” she said.

The simplicity of breastfeeding gives Smith peace of mind despite the challenges brought on by Hurricane Melissa. “I am not worried at all about feeding Daniela because breastmilk is clean, it is always ready, and I don’t have to depend on anything else,” she said.

For Smith, breastfeeding is more than convenience, it has also given her peace of mind, especially with warnings about contaminated water sources and now leptospirosis and other diseases.

“Even though everything is upside down, at least I know my baby is getting good nutrition and staying healthy,” she said. Each day, as she nurses Daniela, she does so knowing that her baby is receiving all the nutrients she needs.

Smith’s experience reflects the best practices for breastfeeding.

The Pan American Health Organization and UNICEF recommend that in emergency situations, breastfeeding is especially critical, as it provides a safe, sustained source of nutrition and essential protection against infection in unsanitary conditions or where access to clean water is limited.

Exclusive breastfeeding provides all the nutrients, including water, that a baby needs for the first six months of life. Breastfeeding not only gives children the best start in life, but it also benefits maternal health, helps protect against non-communicable diseases, and supports environmental sustainability.

FIVE GREAT BENEFITS OF BREASTFEEDING:

• Nutrition

Breast milk is the best source of nutrition for most babies. As the baby grows, the mother’s breast milk will change to meet the baby’s nutritional needs.

• Protection

Breastfeeding can help protect babies against some short- and long-term illnesses and diseases. Breastfed babies have a lower risk of asthma, obesity, type 1 diabetes, and SIDS. Breastfed babies are also less likely to have ear infections and stomach bugs.

• Antibodies

Breast milk shares antibodies from the mother with her baby. These antibodies help babies develop a strong immune system and protect them from illnesses.

• Convenience

Mothers can breastfeed anytime and anywhere. Mothers can feed their babies on the go without worrying about having to mix formula or prepare bottles. When travelling, breastfeeding can also provide a source of comfort for babies whose normal routine is disrupted.

• Mother’s health

Breastfeeding has health benefits for the mother too. Breastfeeding can reduce the mother’s risk of breast and ovarian cancer, type 2 diabetes, and high blood pressure.

Exclusive breastfeeding for about the first six months is recommended. It is also recommended that breastfeeding is continued while introducing appropriate complementary foods until children are 12 months old or older.

The World Health Organization also recommend exclusive breastfeeding for about six months, with continued breastfeeding along with introducing appropriate complementary foods for up to two years of age or longer.

keisha.hill@gleanerjm.com