By Shahista Namale
As Uganda celebrates significant improvements in maternal and child health, experts are calling for strengthened support systems to bridge persistent gaps in breastfeeding practices.
New data from the Uganda Demographic and Health Survey (UDHS) 2022 reveals that 87% of children under two are exclusively breastfed for the first six months—a promising figure, yet one that still requires sustained efforts to ensure long-term benefits for infants and mothers.
Breast milk is not just food; it is a living, dynamic fluid packed with proteins, healthy fats (including DHA), vitamins, enzymes, antibodies, and prebiotics that shape a baby’s gut microbiome—critical for **immunity, digestion, and long-term health.
The first milk, colostrum, is especially rich in immune-boosting cells that protect newborns from infections.
The World Health Organization (WHO) underscores that exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months, followed by continued breastfeeding alongside nutritious complementary foods up to two years or beyond, is vital for child survival and development. Failure to breastfeed exclusively increases risks of malnutrition, diarrhea, and pneumonia—leading causes of infant mortality.
For Mariam Sawula, a first-time mother in Gayaza, breastfeeding did not come easily. “Just after two months, I had gained weight, but my milk supply was still low,” she recalls in an interview with The Friday Call.
“Friends and family advised me to eat local foods like katunkuma, greens, and less fried food. Within weeks, I saw a difference,” she added.
Nanteza Nadia, a nutritionist and lactation expert, explains that while no foods are strictly off-limits for nursing mothers, a balanced diet directly impacts milk quality and quantity.
“Eating enough carbohydrates, proteins, and vitamins ensures nutrient-dense milk that benefits the baby’s growth,” Nanteza advises.
Nanteza highlights key foods that enhance lactation and infant health:
Avocados: Packed with healthy fats, fibre, and folate, they boost nutrient absorption and brain development.
Leafy greens (e.g., spinach): Rich in iron, they help replenish maternal stores and improve milk supply.
Carrots: Their beta-carotene converts to vitamin A, essential for vision, immunity, and skin health.
Eggs (especially boiled): Provide choline, a nutrient critical for infant brain development.
Silver fish, oats, offals, and mushrooms: Nutrient-dense options that support lactation.
She also stresses the importance of hydration.
“Dehydration reduces milk supply. Mothers must drink plenty of fluids,” she advises.
As the world marks World Breastfeeding Week 2025 (August 1–7) under the theme “Prioritize Breastfeeding: Create Sustainable Support Systems,” WHO and UNICEF urge governments and health stakeholders to:
Increase funding for breastfeeding programs in national budgets.
Integrate lactation counselling into maternal and child health services.
Train healthcare workers to provide skilled breastfeeding support, even in emergencies.
Enforce the International Code of Marketing of Breast milk Substitutes to prevent unethical promotion of formula.
Strengthen community health systems to offer continuous support for mothers up to two years and beyond.
Breastfeeding in Islam: A child’s right
In Islam, breastfeeding is highly encouraged, with the Quran and Hadith emphasizing its benefits.
Surah Al-Baqarah (2:233) states that mothers may nurse for two full years, with fathers responsible for providing for the mother and child during this period. While weaning earlier is permitted by mutual consent, the tradition underscores breastfeeding’s sacred role in infant health and bonding.
