Kirinyaga strengthens breastfeeding support for mothers, premature babies

Kirinyaga County is strengthening support for breastfeeding mothers, particularly those with premature and low-birth-weight babies, as it seeks to improve maternal and newborn survival and give children a healthier start in life.

The county marked World Breastfeeding Week by highlighting the importance of exclusive breastfeeding, Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC), skilled birth attendance and nutrition counselling, with health workers saying breast milk remains one of the most important and affordable interventions for child survival.

The global observance, held annually from August 1 to 7, promotes breastfeeding and calls for stronger support for mothers, families, health workers, workplaces and communities. This year’s campaign theme, “Breastfeeding for a Sustainable Start in Life”, focuses on strengthening systems and actions that enable mothers to breastfeed successfully.

For mothers of premature babies at Kirinyaga County Referral Hospital, breastfeeding can mean more than nutrition; it can be a critical part of their babies’ fight for survival.

Nancy Gladys, whose daughter was born on May 31 at just 27 weeks, weighing 840 grammes, experienced the uncertainty that comes with premature birth.

Through specialised newborn care, nutritional support and Kangaroo Mother Care, the baby has steadily gained weight and is now approaching discharge after reaching 1.79 kilogrammes.

Nancy was supported with nutritious meals and nutrient-rich porridge to help maintain an adequate breast milk supply, while health workers guided her on breastfeeding and continuous skin-to-skin contact.

“It has been a journey of hope and survival,” Nancy said, expressing gratitude to the doctors and nurses who have supported her and her baby.

Nurse Denis Maina said premature babies admitted to the newborn unit are introduced to Kangaroo Mother Care, where babies are placed in skin-to-skin contact with their mothers to help regulate body temperature, promote bonding and support weight gain.

He said mothers are also taught how to correctly attach their babies to the breast and maintain exclusive breastfeeding. Babies unable to breastfeed effectively may receive expressed breast milk through an orogastric tube.

The babies are weighed regularly, while their feeding requirements are calculated according to their weight and age. This enables health workers to monitor their growth before discharge and during follow-up.

Maina said exclusive breast milk provides premature babies with essential nutrients and immune protection while reducing the financial burden on families that might otherwise have to purchase specialised formula.

“Breast milk contains the specific nutrients that assist the baby in growth, while also helping to strengthen immunity and promote bonding between the mother and child,” he said.

Public Health Director Dr Peter Irungu described breast milk as a newborn’s “first vaccine”, noting that it provides vital protection during the first months of life.

He urged mothers and families to initiate breastfeeding within the first hour after birth, maintain exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months and continue breastfeeding up to two years and beyond alongside appropriate complementary foods.

The county’s efforts to improve breastfeeding support are part of broader interventions aimed at strengthening maternal and newborn health services.

At a past event, Governor Anne Waiguru said antenatal care coverage in the county had risen from 45 per cent to 63 per cent, surpassing the national figure of 61.3 per cent, with the county targeting 87 per cent.

She said skilled birth attendance had increased from 87 to 92 per cent, while immunisation coverage had risen from 81 to 91 per cent, above the national average of 80 per cent and the recommended global level of 85 per cent.

Waiguru also reported that neonatal mortality had declined from 26 to 10 deaths per 1,000 live births, while maternal mortality had fallen from 88 to 55 deaths per 100,000 live births, with the county seeking to achieve further reductions.

County Executive Committee Member for Gender and Youth Millicent Ngari, representing the Governor during the breastfeeding week celebrations, called for greater involvement of fathers and communities in supporting breastfeeding mothers.

She said the county was strengthening services at Level Five and other county health facilities, including specialised support for mothers of premature babies.

“When children are brought up well from the time they are born, we are going to have healthy families and a healthy community,” she said.

By David Wandeto