Expert urges proper positioning of babies for breastfeeding

Executive Director, Edie and Amy Company, Njideka Sanya, has urged nursing mothers and pregnant women to practise safe breastfeeding methods to curb side effects.

She gave the advice during a sensitisation programme on best breastfeeding methods for nursing mothers in Lagos.
The training, which focused on women who are registered for antenatal care with traditional birth centres, was done in remembrance of the founder of the organisation, Dr. Ijeoma Idaresit, who, before her demise, was an advocate of postpartum care. 

Sanya said there must be proper positioning to help the newborn latch on the right way and prevent nipple soreness as well as other breastfeeding problems.

On the best way to hold the baby, she said mothers should ensure that the child’s whole body is facing the chest, with his or her ear, shoulder and hip in a straight line. According to her, improper positioning could lead to back pain, sore nipples and others.

She suggested that mothers should practice cradle hold, laid-back nursing, clutch and other types of breastfeeding positioning. 

Sanya, during the sensitisation held at Onigbeji Trado Medical Clinic and Maternity Home, Lagos, said the programme was also organised to help women have better outcomes after their pregnancy and delivery experience.

“We teach about breastfeeding. Edie and Amy is a company that provides breastfeeding, pregnancy and postpartum support for women both online and in the communities,” she said. Sanya advised women to register for antenatal once they discover they are pregnant.

“Just as it is recommended by the World Health Organisation (WHO), it’s very important that once you find out that you are pregnant, you register for antenatal care in a centre that is recognised by the government.

“Take all the advice, take the drugs you are given, do everything you are told. The extra thing we like to add is that mothers should also seek information.

“The firm’s social media pages provide women with information about breastfeeding, postpartum self-care and access to experts that would help relieve burden and take care of issues they are unable to discuss with their doctor or nurse,” she said. 

She revealed that Idaresit fund has been launched in London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, which is Idaresit’s alma mater, to support Nigerian students that are studying for a master’s degree in Public Health.