By: Savannah Pokuaah Duah
As the world marks World Breastfeeding Week, Principal Dietician at the University of Ghana Hospital, Legon, Maxwell Bisala Konlan, has underscored the health benefits of breastfeeding for mothers. Speaking on the GTV Breakfast Show, Mr. Konlan emphasized that breastfeeding significantly reduces the risk of breast, ovarian, and cervical cancers.
He further noted that exclusive breastfeeding supports postpartum weight loss and helps prevent excessive weight gain. Mr Konlan emphasized that breast milk is the ideal food for infants, supplying essential nutrients that formula cannot fully replicate.
“God in his own way has the ability to produce something that is perfect for the child, no company, no industry will be able to produce the same exact thing in terms of nutrients,”he said.
Despite these benefits, some mothers, especially among the Gen Z generation, are opting for infant formula due to misconceptions about breastfeeding being outdated. Mr Konlan attributed this trend to a lack of knowledge and Western cultural influences.
“Some people think that if you can afford formula, then you are a person of high class,” he stated. However, he urged mothers to prioritize breastfeeding, citing its numerous health benefits for both mothers and babies.
Mr Konlan also highlighted the role of peer pressure in influencing mothers’ decisions about breastfeeding. “Don’t let anyone pressurize you to give infant formula if you’re a motherDo the thing that you have to do, which is breastfeeding,”He advised.
As Ghana celebrates World Breastfeeding Week, health experts like Mr Konlan are calling for increased education and awareness about the importance of breastfeeding. By promoting this lifesaving practice, Ghana can improve the health outcomes of both mothers and babies.
