23/08/2023
Breast feeding workshop hosted at Ti-Rocher Wellness Centre
By Julita Peter, Ministry of the Public Service
Staff of the Ti-Rocher (Castries) Wellness Centre and the Bureau of Health Education, recently engaged with expectant and nursing mothers in a breastfeeding education and sensitization session.
The Aug. 21 session followed two similar meetings at the Bexon and Vieux-Fort Wellness Centres in observance of Breastfeeding Awareness Month, where participants were instructed on the benefits of breast milk to both mother and infant and the proper techniques of breastfeeding.
Alicia Baptiste, Community Health Nurse said: “This year’s theme is Enabling Breastfeeding, Making a Difference for Working Mothers, and we know sometimes, the difficulty working mothers have in feeding their babies, expressing the milk, and even getting time at work to express the milk. So we are advocating that employers understand the importance of breastfeeding to the baby. It is the first food and the most important food as the baby starts life; and we advocate for breast feeding up to six months.”
The staff of the Ministry of Health were also joined by representatives from the National Insurance Corporation (NIC). Under the NIC's Knowledge is Power campaign, they encouraged mothers to take advantage of NIC benefits.
NIC Communications Manager Shervon Alfred explained: “At the NIC, we have a number of benefits that we provide to new mothers so we are using this opportunity to educate mothers on the benefits that we provide such as maternity grants and hospitalization benefits. Many people are not aware of the benefits that they can take advantage of through the NIC, and so we are pleased to educate and inform them today.”
Participant Alicia Thomas was thankful for the invaluable information she received.
“I learnt a lot about breastfeeding today—how to properly breastfeed, the benefits of breast feeding and that it prevents the baby from getting illnesses,” she said.
At the end of the session participants received packages comprising maternity products and other supplies.
The breastfeeding education and sensitization sessions will continue at the Entrepot and La Clery Wellness Centres on Aug. 28 and 29. It is important to note that while substantial emphasis is placed on breastfeeding throughout the month of August each year, breastfeeding education is done at all neonatal and antenatal clinics continuously
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