Teenage mothers urged to breastfeed and ignore social pressures
Elgeyo-Marakwet County Nutrition Officer Maximila Baraza while briefing the press in Iten town. She said that teenage mothers in the area shun breastfeeding their newborns, affecting their health and development. Photo/Jeremiah Choge
A new challenge is emerging in Elgeyo-Marakwet County with a study showing that teenage mothers shun breastfeeding their newborns, affecting their health and development.
As the world celebrates World Breastfeeding Week, reports indicate that many teenage mothers in the region shy away from breastfeeding due to various misconceptions and social pressures.
According to Ms Maximila Baraza, who is a nutritionist officer in the county, one common fear among teenage mothers is that breastfeeding will cause their breasts to sag, affecting their body image and self-confidence.
“This concern, often fueled by myths and peer influence, discourages young mothers from exclusively breastfeeding their children for the recommended six(6) months. This has come at a cost since many babies do not live to see their first birth days due to ailments which could have been avoided," explained Ms Baraza.
“The belief that breasts sag because of breastfeeding is largely a myth. Factors such as age, weight fluctuations, and genetics play a much bigger role. Breastfeeding, on the contrary, offers critical health benefits that cannot be replaced by formula feeding,” added the official.
The department has since rolled out a rigorous campaign to empower young mothers to prioritize the health of their babies over fear or societal judgment.
“Breastfeeding provides essential nutrients and antibodies that protect infants from diseases, strengthens the immune system and build a strong mother-child bond. Breastfeeding has a lifelong health benefits for both the baby and the mother,” said Baraza.
She added that some young mothers also stop breastfeeding early due to concerns of having little or no milk.
“Breast milk production is closely tied to a mother's mental state. Stress, anxiety, depression, or lack of support can lead to reduced milk supply. Creating a calm, supportive environment and reassuring the mother can significantly improve milk flow,” said the nutritionist.
It also emerged that despite national campaigns promoting exclusive breastfeeding, the availability of support structures in Elgeyo-Marakwet County remains minimal.
According to Ms Baraza, there is an urgent need to establish breastfeeding-friendly centres across the county and they must be safe, private spaces where young and new mothers can receive counseling, lactation support, and encouragement.
“These centres will not only support teenage mothers emotionally and physically but also help normalize breastfeeding in public and private spaces, breaking harmful stigmas in the process,” said Ms Baraza.
If the society is to tackle child malnutrition, boost early childhood development, and reduce infant mortality, investing in youth-targeted breastfeeding education and mental health support is crucial.
She said it is time to empower teenage mothers with accurate information, debunk the myths, and ensure they never have to choose between their confidence and their child's well-being.
World Breastfeeding Week is celebrated every year in the first week of August, championed by the World Health Organisation (WHO), Unicef, Ministries of Health and civil society partners around the globe.
Breastfeeding delivers a hopeful future not only for children, but for societies. It reduces health care costs, boosts cognitive development, strengthens economies, and sets children up with healthy beginnings.
