‘Exclusive breastfeeding’ declines every year in St. Lucia, officials say

St Lucia is to take part in World Breastfeeding Week this summer in an effort to promote its importance for infant health.

The awareness week is 1-7 August.

Earlier this month a nutrition officer within the Ministry of Health told the media that rates of breastfeeding drop every year.

Maryanna Phillip, who was one of a number of facilitators leading education campaigns on breastfeeding in the north of the island, said: “Every year we realise that our breastfeeding rates, especially exclusive breastfeeding, where we expect mothers to breastfeed alone for the first six months is on the decline.”

The ministry firmly believes that “breast is best”.

‘Benefits for baby and mother’

According to the Ministry of Health, breastfeeding is the best way to give newborns the nutrients they need.

“Breast milk is highly nutritious with easy-to-digest proteins and natural immunities that protect babies against disease and infection,” they said in a release.

Colostrum, the milk that mothers produce in the first days after birth, is not only dense in nutrients, but is also rich in antibodies that protect babies from bacteria and viruses that cause infection.”

But Phillip adds that it’s not only the baby that benefits.

“For the mother, it helps the mother’s womb especially the uterus to return to its normal size very quickly,” she said.

“We are appealing to mothers, especially young mothers, to breastfeed their babies. It is important for the mothers health, for the babies health and for the nation as a whole.”