Mothers play an important role in the health and well-being of their children. Therefore, for this reason, it is vital to give utmost attention to maternal health before, during, and after pregnancy. Expectant mothers are encouraged to have regular antenatal, and postnatal visits to ensure that both the mother and child are in good condition before, during, and after pregnancy.

For expectant mothers, vaccination is a very vital part of the whole process. It is highly advised that expectant mothers vaccinate themselves against diseases such as whooping cough, pneumonia, Hepatitis A and B, Human Papilloma Virus, flu, chickenpox, mumps, measles, rubella, tetanus, and diphtheria.

Exclusive Breastfeeding

Exclusive breastfeeding is feeding a baby with only breast milk for the first six months. The World Health Organization has recommended that Nursing mothers should breastfeed their newborn babies for at least 6 months without any other fluid or fluid including water.

Importance of Exclusive Breastfeeding to Mother and Child

Breast milk is one of the essential requirements for the growth and development of the baby. Quite a good number of nursing mothers give water to their newborn babies which is not advisable to do so. This is because the water can fill up their tiny stomach and can interfere with the ability of the body to absorb the nutrients in the breast milk.

IMPORTANCE OF EXCLUSIVE BREASTFEEDING TO THE BABY

• The breast milk contains strong antibodies that helps the baby fight off viruses, bacterias and other various antigens.
• Colostrum, a yellow or orange color form of milk when consumed by the baby contains a high level of beta-carotene, promotes immunity, rich in vitamins, minerals, proteins, fats, growth hormones, and carbohydrates.
• Protects the baby from respiratory infections
• Prevents diarrhoeal disease.
• Protects the baby against obesity.
• Exclusive breastfeeding is known to decrease infant mortality.
• Exclusive breastfeeding is known to decrease infant mortality.
• It is one of the best ways to minimize the chances of the baby getting allergies, pneumonia , and suffering from malnutrition.

IMPORTANCE OF EXCLUSIVE BREASTFEEDING TO THE MOTHER

1. Exclusive breastfeeding mothers have a low risk of having breast and ovarian cancer.
2. exclusive breastfeeding helps the mother to naturally lose pregnancy weight faster.
3. Breastfeeding mothers are less likely to experience postpartum depression.
4. It releases the hormone oxytocin, which helps the uterus return to its normal size after

pregnancy.

Conclusion

It is important for expectant or nursing mothers to attend antenatal and postnatal classes. Since most women experience different or unique type of pregnancy, information gotten from these classes can be quite helpful to you and your baby.

In addition to that, some health concerns such as diabetes, high blood pressure, etc, can be accessed and controlled. This can help to reduce the high level of child birth/marternal mortality rate (death due to complications of pregnancy or childbirth).