Homa Bay public schools to have breastfeeding units

The Kenya Women Teachers Association (Kewota) has launched a project to build breastfeeding parlors for female teachers in public schools in Homa Bay County.

 The first of its kind unit opened at Ndhiwa Primary School, can accommodate 15 teachers.

The initiative aims to improve the health of both teachers and their children, addressing challenges faced by lactating teachers.

The initiative will also reduce absenteeism and enhance focus, with plans to expand breastfeeding facilities across the county. 

It has been revealed that lactating female teachers undergo mental problems in balancing their work with breastfeeding their babies.

KEWOTA Marketing Manager Daniel Oswago and Co-ordinator in Homa Bay County Mercy Odhiambo officially opened a breastfeeding unit at Ndhiwa Primary School.

"Our objective is to make the lives of female teachers and their children in this county better," Oswago said.

The teachers return to work from maternity leave four months after delivery. However, health experts require that a baby should feed on her mother's milk exclusively for the first six months after birth.

Interrupting exclusive breastfeeding puts the lives of babies in the danger of developing a weak immune system.

This predisposes them to risks of developing mental torture in maintaining the balance between saving lives of their children and their jobs.

The parlor has cubes, chairs and beds where babies can sleep after breastfeeding.

Oswago said the initiative is aimed at improving the health of female teachers and their children.

According to Mercy, they started the project after discovering that many lactating teachers undergo mental problems due to the difficulties in breastfeeding their children when they are on duty.

"If a teacher fails to breastfeed her child appropriately, the child will develop diseases and may die. On the other hand, the teacher also has a duty to protect her job by attending lessons as scheduled. This tricky balance makes many teachers develop mental problems," she said.

Mercy said the unit will enable teachers to breastfeed their children and protect their jobs too.

"Lactating teachers can now organize with the nannies to bring children to school for breastfeeding. This will give lactating teachers peace," Mercy said.

She said their plan is to construct breastfeeding units in as many schools as possible in the county.

"As KEWOTA, our vision is to ensure every school in this county has a breastfeeding parlor. However, the main problem is financial challenges," Mercy said.

Ndhiwa Primary Deputy head teacher Neddie Dulo said the parlor will enhance academic performance in her school.

"We have 16 female teachers in our school. The breastfeeding parlor will prevent cases of their absenteeism due to lactation related issues" Dulo said.

Pamela Otieno, a lactating teacher at Ndhiwa Primary School said the facility will enhance concentration of teachers in their work.

"We will be working and breastfeeding our children at the same time. This will enable us to discharge our duties without any worry," Otieno said.

Brenda Odoyo, a teacher, said the breastfeeding facility will improve the health of lactating teachers.

"This facility will cushion us from complications which result from the inability to breastfeed babies effectively," Odoyo said.