Exclusive Breast Feeding Prevents Pregnancy

An observation by the Ghana Health Service in the Northern Region has unveiled that �Exclusive Breast Feeding� delays pregnancy for about one year thereby helping women to achieve desirable birth spacing. Mr. Sofo Mutaru, Regional Nutrition Officer, Ghana Health Service, said a testimony by some parents from the Bole District supports the fact that exclusive breast feeding prevents nursing mothers from getting pregnant early and minimizes breast related problems. He said breast milk especially, the colostrums (first yellowish breast milk) supports the immune system to fight against diseases and protects the baby against illnesses such as diarrhea, common colds, cough and pneumonia. Mr. Mutaru was addressing the launch of this year�s breast feeding week celebration in Tamale on Tuesday on the theme, �Talk to me! Breastfeeding-A 3D experience�. He said breast feeding helps in the brain development of the baby and increases children�s intelligence and also creates a special love and bonding between baby and mother making the Baby emotionally stable. He noted that it also enables the Mother�s womb to return to its normal position in good time as well as help mothers re-gain-pregnancy shape. Mr. Mutaru stated that enough sensitization had already been done at various districts and communities across the Region on the need for mothers to ensure exclusive breast feeding. Mr. Moses Bukari Mabengba, Northern Regional Minister, in speech read for him, said breast feeding has a significant impact on reducing diseases and deaths in infants and plays an important role in developing countries because of its relationship with child health and birth spacing. He said communication was essential part of protecting, promoting and supporting breast feeding and encouraged parents especially mothers to broaden their horizon to spread information on breast feeding. Mr. Mabengba also urged the Youth to spread the good news of exclusive breast feeding through social networks such as facebook and twitter adding, breast feeding is a biological function and public health issue.