Mothers form a large part of the workforce, but they ought to be accorded ample time to breastfeed their children, a health ministry official has said.

The remarks were made by Alexis Mucumbitsi, the head of the nutrition department in the Ministry of Health, yesterday, at the commencement of two-day a workshop organised to highlight the importance of breastfeeding.

The event is part of activities to mark the World breastfeeding week.

Mucumbitsi explained that the ability for working mothers to breastfeed their babies benefits the society as a whole.

"Breastfeeding has major health and nutritional benefits for the mother, baby and society at large. Therefore, a conducive environment should be created for breastfeeding mothers at workplaces,” he said.

He explained that a mother can have choices, for example, do exclusive breastfeeding for six months before going back to work or breastfeeding at work, which seems to have more advantages.

He said, "On the employers’ side, if there is room for breastfeeding mothers at work, there is reduced absenteeism, increased productivity as the employee has more concentration, improved morale and a positive corporate image.”

"The employer might perceive it as an extra expense, but all parties do benefit. The time spent going back home to breastfeed is saved, hence increase in productivity.”

Claudette Kayitesi, the vice-president of Rwanda Nutritionists Society, pointed out that people need to understand that breastfeeding is vital for both the mother and baby.

She said, "From birth to six months, a baby can be breastfed exclusively. Breast milk has all nutrients yet at the same time creates a bond between the baby and its mother which is essential for the proper growth of a child.”

Babies who do not breast feed face many disadvantages such as malnutrition, obesity because of the artificial milk they are fed, childhood cancers and other psychologically-related problems.

Kayitesi advised parents to always put a lot of efforts in catering for a baby’s growth, especially in its first two years, since it is the period in which a child’s health is built.

Josephine Kayumba, a nutrition specialist from UNICEF, also explained that breast milk is the best food for an infant in its first six months.

She added that a child should eat a variety of foods everyday, including energy-giving foods, body building foods and also iron-rich foods for the mental and physical health to ensure they don’t suffer from anaemia.

Breastfeeding mothers have a lesser risk of getting breast cancer, ovarian cancer, metabolic syndrome, postpartum hemorrhage, according to medics.

The World breastfeeding week is an annual celebration that runs from August 1 to 7.

This year focuses on public awareness to support women to combine breastfeeding and work. The global theme is "Breastfeeding and work. Let us make it work.”

The Ministry of Health through Rwanda Biomedical Centre organised the workshop in partnership with the Society for Family Health.

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