This archive report was first published on 15 January 2020.
MP Warns Men Against Suckling Lactating Wives ¶
Embakasi East MP Babu Owino has issued a warning to men against suckling their breastfeeding wives, citing health risks to the babies.
According to Owino, he had received information that men from Embakasi East and Nairobi County were engaging in the habit, which he described as 'not good for the babies.'
Speaking at a Pre-Men's conference meeting, Owino emphasized that suckling their wives' breasts is not wrong, but should be done when the woman is not breastfeeding.
Other speakers at the event, including nutritionists, noted that the practice denies infants good nutrition, increasing the chances of viral or bacterial infections.
‘The men believe that after drinking excess alcohol, they can suckle their lactating wives to avoid hangovers. What they don’t know is that by doing so, they are risking their breastfeeding babies’ lives,’ said Mlozi.
The guest speaker, Hon Ongili, also warned men against giving alcohol to babies to induce sleep, so they can feast on breast milk.
‘We shall address this issue in detail during the men’s conference but I beg you to please desist from this habit,’ Babu implored.
He then shared information from the World Health Organization regarding the same topic.
10 Facts on Breastfeeding and Suckling ¶
The World Health Organization (WHO) has highlighted the importance of breastfeeding in ensuring child health and survival.
According to the WHO, breastfeeding is one of the most effective ways to ensure child health and survival, with about 820,000 child lives saved every year if it were scaled up to near-universal levels.
However, globally, only 40% of infants under six months of age are exclusively breastfed, says the WHO.
WHO actively promotes breastfeeding as the best source of nourishment for infants and young children.
- Mothers should initiate breastfeeding within one hour of birth.
- Infants should be exclusively breastfed for the first six months of life.
- Breastfeeding should continue for up to two years or beyond.
Also, breastfeeding protects infants from childhood illnesses, such as diarrhoea and pneumonia, the two primary causes of child mortality worldwide.
Exclusive breastfeeding or suckling is associated with a natural method of birth control (98% protection in the first six months after birth).
It also reduces risks of breast and ovarian cancer, type II diabetes, and postpartum depression.
Furthermore, breastfeeding has long-term benefits for children, including a reduced risk of being overweight or obese, and performing better in intelligence tests.
Infant formula does not contain the antibodies found in breast milk, which can lead to malnutrition and other health problems.
Transmission of HIV through breastfeeding can be reduced with antiretroviral (ARV) drugs given to either the mother or the HIV-exposed infant.
Marketing of breast-milk substitutes is highly monitored, with an international code adopted in 1981 to regulate the practice.
Support for suckling mothers is essential, with health facilities that support breastfeeding or suckling by avoiding routine practices that make it harder for mothers and babies to breastfeed.
Mothers should continue breastfeeding at work, with enabling conditions such as paid maternity leave, part-time work arrangements, and facilities for expressing and storing breast milk.
Finally, solid foods should be phased in at six months, with mashed solid foods introduced as a complement to continued breastfeeding.
