BY Daniel Bampoe
The Ghana Health Service (GHS) has reiterated the importance of breastfeeding and complementary feeding as a foundation for lifelong health, urging mothers to continue breastfeeding their babies beyond six months while gradually introducing safe, nutritious family foods.
Speaking during the weekly Nutrition Friday education campaign, Nutrition Officer, Zanno Billey emphasized that breastfeeding provides dual benefits—protecting children against infections and malnutrition while also safeguarding mothers’ health.
According to Zanno Billey, exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life remains the global gold standard recommended by health experts, including the World Health Organization (WHO).
She explained that breast milk is nature’s complete food, supplying infants with all the nutrients they need, strengthening immunity, and supporting brain development during the most critical stages of growth.
“From zero to six months, all your child needs is breast milk and breast milk only. It is nature’s perfect gift of food, protecting babies from infections and supporting healthy growth and brain development,” she stated.
However, at six months, breast milk alone becomes insufficient to meet a growing child’s nutrition needs.
At this stage, complementary feeding is introduced, where children are gradually given soft, nutritious, and locally available foods alongside continued breastfeeding.
The GHS recommends foods such as mashed plantain, beans, fish, fruits, and vegetables, which provide essential vitamins and minerals. Between six to nine months, children are encouraged to transition to family foods prepared with a balance of staples, proteins, and vegetables to ensure adequate nourishment.
Zanno Billey stressed that breastfeeding should ideally continue for up to 24 months, noting that “a well-fed child is more likely to grow well, stay healthy, and perform better academically.”
Beyond benefits to the child, breastfeeding also supports maternal health.
Research shows that it lowers the risk of breast and ovarian cancers, aids postpartum recovery, and fosters stronger emotional bonds between mother and baby.
The GHS initiative forms part of its GoodLife campaign, which seeks to educate families on proper nutrition and healthy practices.
“Breastfeeding doesn’t only strengthen the bond between you and your baby; it also supports your own health,” Zanno Billey added, encouraging mothers to see breastfeeding not just as a duty to their child but as an investment in their own wellbeing.
The campaign reflects the broader efforts to reduce child malnutrition and improve maternal health, aligning with global commitments to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) on health and wellbeing.
