Seek health advice, says specialist

 By SONIA KENU 

YOUNG people have been advised to visit clinics, seek advice and ask health specialists about child-bearing and family planning.

Sister Margaret Rombuk, a specialist with Susu Mamas, passed the advice during a health talk on exclusive breastfeeding yesterday at Vision City in Port Moresby.

Susu Mamas, the National Capital District health services and World Vision PNG are promoting exclusive breastfeeding as the main theme for this year’s National Health Week which started yesterday. 

“Young people today need to understand the importance of having a family and the responsibilities involved. 

“New and young parents need to understand the 1,000-day concept which begins from the day the baby is conceived until when the baby is two years old. 

“In between the 1,000-day period the mother has to eat food from the three food groups for growth, energy and protection three times a day. 

“The mother has to eat well for the development of the baby and her body as well to prepare her for the delivery of the child.”

Rombuk said mothers must put the baby next to the breast to suckle right after delivery even if the mother’s milk was not yet expressed. 

“This is so that it expulses the placenta and contracts the uterus to prevent bleeding after delivery. 

“We also encourage mothers who are HIV positive to exclusively breastfeed the child so that the baby is protected from other diseases.”