WORLD BREASTFEEDING WEEK: 1 to 6 AUGUST 2021

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: 

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.” 

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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.”

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