Nelson Mandela Childrens Fund
  • Our work
    • Child Survival and Development
    • Child Safety and Protection >
      • Background of the CSP programme
      • Reports
      • Creating safer environment for children in schools and communities
      • Creating safety through economic strengthening activities
      • Girls Symposium
    • Youth Leadership Programme >
      • NMCP Alumni
      • Legacy Academy
      • Efeng Bacha 2021/2022 Cohort
    • Sustainable Livelihoods Project
    • PAST WORK >
      • 2010-2015
      • 2005-2010
      • 2000-2005
      • 1995-2000
    • Reports >
      • Deloitte
      • Annual Reports
      • National Children’s Manifesto 2019
      • Media Release
  • News
    • Children's Manifesto 2023
    • Give Back this Festive Season
    • Name The Bot
    • Children's Celebration
    • Disaster Relief
    • Webinar Registration
    • Women’s Month
  • Opportunities
    • Call for Concept Note
  • COVID-19
  • Contact
  • UK
  • Donate
    • Pledge your skills
    • Donate
    • Nedbank Children’s Affinity
  • Blog
  • Our work
    • Child Survival and Development
    • Child Safety and Protection >
      • Background of the CSP programme
      • Reports
      • Creating safer environment for children in schools and communities
      • Creating safety through economic strengthening activities
      • Girls Symposium
    • Youth Leadership Programme >
      • NMCP Alumni
      • Legacy Academy
      • Efeng Bacha 2021/2022 Cohort
    • Sustainable Livelihoods Project
    • PAST WORK >
      • 2010-2015
      • 2005-2010
      • 2000-2005
      • 1995-2000
    • Reports >
      • Deloitte
      • Annual Reports
      • National Children’s Manifesto 2019
      • Media Release
  • News
    • Children's Manifesto 2023
    • Give Back this Festive Season
    • Name The Bot
    • Children's Celebration
    • Disaster Relief
    • Webinar Registration
    • Women’s Month
  • Opportunities
    • Call for Concept Note
  • COVID-19
  • Contact
  • UK
  • Donate
    • Pledge your skills
    • Donate
    • Nedbank Children’s Affinity
  • Blog

NEWS

WORLD BREASTFEEDING WEEK: 1 to 6 AUGUST 2021

8/2/2021

1 Comment

 
From our Child Survival, Development and Thriving (CSDT) Programme Team 
  1. Background
Breastfeeding buddies is one of the CSDT supported interventions aimed at reducing child mortality by supporting pregnant mothers and their children. The project is implemented in partnership with Thembalethu Community Care Centre (TCCC), based at Springvalley informal settlement in eNkangala district, Emalahleni, in the Mpumalanga Province of South Africa. The NPO provides health and developmental services to the community of Springvalley, comprising of antenatal care for pregnant women, post- natal care for breastfeeding mothers as well as child health development.
 
The role of the buddy:
  • The buddy supports the mother from the time of pregnancy throughout post-natal stage, especially during the first six months after birth
  • A buddy is empowered with relevant skills and information because she/he is an important support and someone close to a mother who is always there to guide and assist as and when necessary
  • He/she accompany the mother to the facility clinic
  • He/she will also attend health information sessions for more information 
 
Who qualifies to be a buddy?
  • A buddy is selected by the mother when is still pregnant
  • It is a person whom she trusts because she is the one who will be sharing with him/her e.g. personal issues, disclosure etc
  • It can be a family member or a community member
  • A buddy attends our session with the mother
  • A buddy supports the mother when she is from the hospital after giving birth. 
 
2.    Did you know

  • Breastfeeding buddies is one of the CSDT supported interventions aimed at reducing child mortality by supporting pregnant mothers and their babies
  • The breastfeeding buddy plays a role in negotiating with the family when they interfere with contradictory messages to those received at the health facility or from the community healthcare workers
  • CSDT’s breastfeeding buddy encourages breastfeeding mothers to exclusively breastfeed their babies for six-months
  • One of the ideals of the breastfeeding-buddy initiative is for the partner to be actively involved and supportive of the mother

Quote from a buddy: “I love the work I do, and even though I am not paid, I am happy to see them grow so well, and I also learn so much for when I have a baby, I will raise my child the same way”.
 
Mothers who have joined the programme: 
Picture
Rose Sibanda: 
“My name is Rose Sibanda. I am 26 years old. I started to attend the session of Thembalethu Community Care Centre from 2020 when l was pregnant. I gave birth to my child on the 18 December 2020. The interesting sessions that I have attended was exclusive breastfeeding. It was interesting to me because my husband was not working permanently. I breastfeed my child exclusively meaning breast milk only, no food or liquids except for medicine prescribed by a health worker. I started to feed my baby after six months. My baby is growing well and healthy. I would like to thank the Care Givers for a good work that they are doing in our community.” 

Picture
Lillian Soda:
“My name is Lillian Soda. I am 25 years old. My child is one year old and she's a girl. I started to breastfeed my child when she was born and continue to do so. I chose my cousin to be my buddy because she is the one l trust and and we are staying together. She helps me a lot when things becomes difficult. She supported me when l breastfeed my baby especially when the family give us a problem like encouraging me to give my baby a soft porridge. My buddy always plays a good role especially when family contradict message to the one we received from health facility. What l have realized it is important to have buddy during pregnancy with breastfeeding period. It was easy for me to breastfeed even when my husband was not with me for few months.”

1 Comment

    Categories

    All
    COVID-19
    Events
    Kids
    Mandela Month
    Pregnancy Awareness
    Tributes
    #YouthLeader

    Archives

    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    April 2021
    November 2020
    September 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    July 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    December 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    April 2016
    February 2016
    December 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015

OUR CONTACTS

South Africa Main Office

21 Eastwold Way, Saxonwold 2196, Gauteng
P.O. Box 797 Highlands North 2037
Email : 
info@nmcf.co.za
Tel: (+27) 11 274-5600

Fax (+27) 11 486-3914
© 2021 Nelson Mandela Childrens Fund All rights reserved Non-Profit Organisation - Reg: 004-638