Bushenyi mothers advised to breastfeed babies as malnutrition bites

Muhumuza Ambrose

Nutritionists and leaders in Bushenyi district have decried the increasing number of mothers who refuse to exclusively breastfeed their babies claiming their breasts will sag.

Instead of breastfeeding their babies for the recommended 6 months, they introduce them to cow milk and other feeds.

The practice common among the elite and working class  has resulted into babies becoming malnourished and stunted.

Lion Nansinya, the Nutrition officer, Bushenyi, said a baby should be exclusively put on breast milk for the recommended 6 months before introducing him or her on other feeds.

However, very few of the mothers in Bushenyi district especially the elites and those who HIV positive are observing this condition which has resulted into their babies becoming stunted.

Leaders in Bushenyi said they have since embarked on sensitising mothers on the need and advantages of breastfeeding their babies in order to reverse the trend.

Arinda Gordon the MP Bushenyi-Ishaka Municipality said it is shocking that Bushenyi district which is considered a food basket in the region is now grappling with malnutrition cases.

Some leaders attributed this to poor mixture of the diet.

Currently, the district council is designing ordinances that will compel the locals to preserve some essential foods for consumption other than selling them off.