Latoya Grindley, Features Writer

Palomino-lue

Lactating mothers are usually bombarded by messages about the health and emotional importance of breastfeeding newborns.

But equal attention should be placed on the nutrition of the new moms themselves, says paediatrician, Eve Palomino-Lue.

She notes that contrary to popular belief, it's the mother who suffers most from malnutrition.

"It is very important for her to eat properly for both her and the baby. If not, it will affect her and not necessarily the baby, as the mother puts out all the important nutrients to the baby through the breast milk."

New mother, 19-year-old Sashanna Hamilton, says on most days, she can't afford to prepare or purchase a substantial meal.

She says her typical diet - usually one main meal per day - consists of fried dumplings with butter or, at times, saltfish. However, she sometimes buys food from fast-food restaurants when she has enough money.

"It's a good thing that I can give him the breast milk because right now is me alone, and I can't afford to buy baby formula, only once in a blue moon," said Hamilton, who still breastfeeds her 11-month-old son.

"As long as the baby belly full, we all right," she explains, referring to her community's ethos. "We don't have to eat, we can deal with hungriness because we used to it."

Health repercussions

But many mothers in financial difficulty don't recognise the health repercussions this misconception presents.

Hamilton's baby should have been gradually introduced to other food types, but prices are prohibitive.

Palomino-Lue says after four months, babies can be introduced to other food items.

"At that stage, things can be added to their diets like baby formulas and then gradually more mature foods added."

The paediatrician suggests that breastfeeding for the first year of a child's life was adequate.

latoya.grindley@gleanerjm.com

Proper nutrition is as important for the lactating mother as it is for her newborn. - Winston Sill/Freelance Photographer