Kinshasa, August 4th, 2026 (CPA). – The importance of breast milk has been recommended to mothers of new-borns by a female doctor during an interview on Tuesday in Kinshasa, in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, to mark World Breastfeeding Week, to ensure the good health and survival of their babies.
“Breast milk is essential for every child. The first milk, known as colostrum, which is yellowish in colour and secreted immediately after childbirth, is very important for the baby’s health. It promotes growth, strengthens the immune system and is a complete and highly nutritious food,” has declared Marlene Nzumba, a nurse at the Urwodhi Centre in the Ngaliema district, west of Kinshasa. Nurse Nzumba has therefore advised mothers to respect the frequency of breastfeeding in order to meet the infant’s nutritional needs, emphasising that a baby should be breastfed between 8 and 12 times a day.
“A baby should be breastfed between eight and twelve times a day, including at night, as their stomach is still very small and they digest food quickly. Breastfeeding also promotes brain development and contributes to healthy growth,” she has explained. She has specified that breastfeeding begins on the very first day after birth and should continue until the child is two years old. Even if the child starts eating other foods, it is important that they continue to be breastfed, she has said. Ms Marlene Nzumba has also urged mothers to avoid giving formula milk in bottles to infants under six months of age.
“Before the age of six months, a baby needs only breast milk, which contains all the vitamins, proteins and nutrients necessary for their development. Complementary foods should only be introduced from six months onwards. I encourage mothers to prioritise breastfeeding to ensure their children grow well,” she has concluded. The breast milk is regarded by health professionals as the infant’s first natural vaccine. Rich in antibodies, it protects against diarrhoea, respiratory infections, ear infections and certain allergies, amongst other things. World Breastfeeding Week, celebrated from August 1st to 7th, is organised under the auspices of the WHO and UNICEF. This year’s theme is: ‘Breastfeeding for a sustainable start in life: strengthening what works’.