97% of Burundian women breastfeed, Ministry of Health reveals

The director of the National Integrated Food and Nutrition Program at the ministry of health says the maternal breastfeeding situation in Burundi is satisfactory. He calls on mothers to breastfeed their children as long as possible.

A mother breastfeeding her baby

On the occasion of the week dedicated to maternal breastfeeding, Alain Parfait Bimenyimana, director of National Integrated Food and Nutrition Program indicates that 97% of Burundian women breastfeed their babies. 83% of them exclusively breastfeed infants during the first six months while about 90% breastfeed their infants up to the age of two years or beyond.

“Statistics of the maternal breastfeeding situation in Burundi are satisfactory even though we must encourage women to continue in the same way,” says Bimenyimana adding that breast milk is irreplaceable. He recommends women not to give powdered milk to infants during the first six months arguing that breast milk is a complete food for babies. He calls on women to breastfeed infants within one hour of birth.

Bimenyimana says that breast milk is healthy and practical. It is always available at the appropriate temperature and in the right composition. “Breastfeeding is the best way to give newborns the nutrients they need,” says Bimenyimana, adding that a mother can breastfeed her child until he/she is two years old to stimulate his/her physical and intellectual development.

Breastfeeding for good health of both child and mother

According to Bimenyimana, breast milk provides the child with immune substances and the mother’s antibodies that protect them from disease. The newborn baby’s milk called colostrum contains more proteins and thus more antibodies than mature milk; it is therefore particularly important for babies. Breastfed children are also less likely to be obese or have circulatory system diseases and hypertension.

Bimenyimana also says breastfeeding is good for mothers. Feeding infants just after birth significantly reduces the risk of hemorrhage after delivery by accelerating uterine contractions. “Long-term breastfeeding, which lasts six to twelve months, has a protective effect against several types of cancer, including breast, cervical and ovarian cancers,” he says. It is recommended to breastfeed as long as possible to protect oneself against the development of these cancers,