It is well known that breastmilk is the most complete source of nutrition for babies from birth to six months and beyond. Breastmilk provides a perfectly balanced source of nutrition for babies. It is easily digestible, contains everything a growing baby needs and provides important antibodies to fight infections and allergies. For a preemie baby, access to breastmilk daily is vital for the baby’s survival and is especially important for brain development and ensuring a healthy immune system.
As part of the ongoing LatchOn! Breastmilk Drive, and to raise awareness about the importance of breastfeeding, Tygerberg Hospital Children’s Trust will partner with Tygerberg Hospital to celebrate World Breastfeeding Week from 1st to the 7th August 2021. The theme this year will be “Protecting Breastfeeding – A Shared Responsibility” which will highlight the need for both parents and families to share the responsibility of breastfeeding.
The Tygerberg Hospital Children’s Trust under the leadership of CEO, Mr Jason Falken, is garnering all its resources in support of the initiative and is appealing to moms, individuals and companies alike, to join them in support of the LatchOn! Breastmilk Drive. The appeal is for moms to donate surplus breast milk. Moms wishing to donate breast milk will be screened, tested and counselled at the soon to be newly launched lactation rooms, 2nd Floor, East Side and West Side entrances, Tygerberg Hospital.
“We would like to create a sustainable supply of breastmilk for the Hospital to ensure that all our babies are provided with this important nutritional source,” says Mr Jason Falken.
Tygerberg Hospital is the largest hospital in the Western Cape and cares for the greatest number of children within the Province, including many from our rural communities. The Hospital provides care for a substantially high number of premature babies in South Africa, and is one of only a few functioning State breastmilk pasteurising facilities in the Province.
On the 2nd and 3rd August Tygerberg Hospital will distribute messages around the theme, “Protecting Breastfeeding – A Shared Responsibility”. Messages such as “Dads support the mother and share the responsibility” and also reminding staff to encourage and support moms who breastfeed. Tygerberg Hospital Public Relations office will assist by sending messages via email daily and via the intercom system during the week of 1st to 7th August 2021.
The week will have activities taking place in the wards and clinics in compliance with COVID-19 protocols, display of posters with hands coming together for all hospital visitors and patients to see the need to protect breastfeeding and to highlight sharing of this responsibility, even during a Pandemic.
