Health officials in Kasese District are warning of a growing trend of early weaning, saying more mothers are stopping breastfeeding before their babies reach six months, putting both mothers and children at risk.
The concerns were raised as Kasese joined the rest of the country in marking World Breastfeeding Week, an annual campaign observed from Aug. 1 to 7 to promote, protect and support breastfeeding.
Health workers say early weaning can lead to poor child growth and development while also exposing mothers to health complications.
Sarah Sirimwenge, a mother of six from Bwesumbu Sub-county, said abruptly stopping breastfeeding can be physically painful for mothers and deprives infants of nutrients essential for healthy growth.
However, she said many women stop breastfeeding early because of work demands and exhaustion.
Scovia Biira, a mother of two from Rugendabara Town Council, said early weaning negatively affects both mothers and children.
Biira, who delivered her youngest child at Rukoki General Hospital, said health education she received at the facility encouraged her to continue breastfeeding until her child reaches two years of age.
Doreen Asiimwe, in charge of the maternity and labour suite at Rukoki General Hospital, said children who are weaned too early are more likely to experience poor weight gain and delayed physical development.
She also cautioned against practices such as husbands suckling a breastfeeding mother’s breasts, saying they may introduce infections that could affect the baby.
Asiimwe urged mothers to exclusively breastfeed their babies for the first six months and continue breastfeeding alongside appropriate complementary foods until at least two years of age.
During World Breastfeeding Week, health officials are reinforcing global recommendations that infants be exclusively breastfed for the first six months before introducing safe complementary foods while continuing breastfeeding.
