Minister of Health Terrence Deyalsingh says women should not be ashamed about breastfeeding their children in public. “It is a natural human response and I support breastfeeding totally because it is better for the baby.
“Babies who are breastfed up to six months to a year show that their immune systems are stronger because they get all antibodies via breast milk,” Deyalsingh told members of the media yesterday, as he paid a special visit to mothers who gave birth on Mother’s Day at the Mount Hope Women’s Hospital.
The issue of whether breastfeeding in public is acceptable or not has been a continuous debate in T&T.
Deyalsingh noted, however, that his ministry will soon launch a robust education campaign to encourage breastfeeding. The ministry will partner with the Breastfeeding Association of T&T on this drive, he said. He also disclosed that three breastfeeding stations will be set up at the hospital and by extension at all hospitals throughout T&T.
“We want to make all hospitals baby friendly and in keeping with the international codes,” Deyalsingh said.
“We want to discourage the use of infant formula substitutes, which could never match a mother’s milk. They may match in terms of proteins but not antibodies. We really have to get serious on breast feeding.”
At Mt Hope there were four Mother’s Day babies.
Marina Lewis, 28, of Kelly Village, Caroni, gave birth to six-pound baby girl Majesty Lewis at 1.56 am. Lewis’ husband, Paul, was at her bedside all in smiles as it was a proud moment for first time parents.
“I am extremely proud to be a father on Mother’s Day and I am looking forward to be a responsible and loving dad to my daughter, Majesty,” Paul said. The second baby, a girl named Aaliyah Ali, was born at 3.05 am to Analicia Narine, 29, of St Joseph. The third baby at the MHWH was born at 3.45 am to Sherrica Baptiste, who did not have her boy, named Brian Atkins, with her as he was at the Intensive Care Unit.
“The umbilical cord was around his neck so he had to be sent to ICU, but I am keeping the faith and believe that my newborn son would be out of any danger,” Baptiste said.
The fourth baby, a boy, born to Cristy Chan, entered this world at 5.09 am. Deyalsingh also visited the Port-of-Spain General Hospital Maternity Hospital, where the first Mother’s Day baby was born.
First-time mother, Leanna Lovell, 28, of San Juan, gave birth to a bouncing baby boy at 1.54 am via C-section. Her baby, who she named Alakay, weighed eight pounds nine ounces.
Speaking with the T&T Guardian, the proud mother said she wished for her son to grow up generous, God-fearing and to have the love for all people regardless of colour, creed, race or religion.
Asked if she was concerned about contracting the Zika virus during her pregnancy, Lovell replied: “Not really. I was continuously encouraged by my doctors.” The second baby at PoS was born at 4.36 am via C-section to Aysha Jones Asson.
Asson’s baby, named Anais Aubrey, was not with her when the minister visited, as doctors were said to be running tests.
“I am so happy. She is the best gift ever to me. I kept praying throughout my pregnancy that I would remain healthy and my baby would be ok,” Asson said.