August 2021
Essential Grace
|
Vol. 2 Issue 1
1
Essential Grace
2
Essential Grace
3
6
Monthly Theme Features 11 Breastfeeding Awareness Week 12 Shared stories from breastfeeding moms
12
2
Health and Wellness Features 23 Breastfeeding: what to expect 32 Ten tips to successful breastfeeding 33 Herbs that help with breast milk flow Mental Health Features 35 Depression in children 38 How to help children overcome depression 39 Tips to build emotional resilience in kids 40 When is it time to get my child help for mental health issues?
25
20 Essential Grace
4
elcome to the august edition! We are finally clear of the cold winter months and moving steadily into the equator’sversion of spring. We are also into volume two of the magazine, a new series of some exciting and educative content coming your way. Essential Grace is a free online publication and registered magazine focused on promoting mental health and wellness in Malawi and beyond through different mediums. Follow and subscribe to the magazine at www.issuu.com/essentialgrace to get notified when your monthly publication is available. Comments and feedback on any of our articles or contributors can be addressed to essentialgrace@zoho.com or through the contributor’s personal contact information. Contact us for information at 0991 938 203
August offers us one of the most important awareness initiatives so far, World BreastfeedingWeek which is observed during the first week of the month. This year the theme is Protect Breastfeeding; a shared responsibility. Read more on some emerging issues around this theme in the world, as well as in Malawi in the Monthly Themes section. We are also focusing on mental health in children under the age of 12. There are so manychallenges that this age group faces, and most of the time they are overlooked because ofmany factors; including their lack of an extensive vocabulary and limited emotional expression. Read more on this in the Mental Health section. I hope that you will make use of the resources section should you relate to any of the content, or require help for children that are struggling with mental health problems. Help isalways available just a phone call away. God Bless and happy reading! Julie Soko Managing Editor
Essential Grace
6
feature
Mtali ‘You can have it all but without God it means nothing.’ Violet Mtali
Essential Grace
7
You only have one life. Once you are dead, that’s it! No more second chances. I think that’s why as humans, we tend to overcompensate by trying to do a million things at one time. There is an adage we are encouraged to accept that we can have it all - marriage and family, career, great friendships and so on. My truth is that yes, you can become excellent at juggling many things. However, at some point, you will crack under pressure! You will have to prioritize for the sake of your sanity.
I am someone who seems to have it all. I am 29 years old. I was born in Lilongwe, Malawi, in 1991. I was blessed enough to be an embassy brat, lived a privileged life in Canada and France for a decade, and attend excellent schools. I am musically gifted and multi-talented. I sing, play guitar and basic keyboard, and I dance. I cultivated a gift of songwriting in my teenage years. I’m very creative, thoughtful, sensitive, and deep. I wear my heart on my sleeve, and I’m outspoken and unique.
At age 20, I got serious about my faith as a Christian and became a committed member of the Capital City Baptist Church Praise Team in Lilongwe, Malawi. I met my musical soul mate in June 2011 (I call him my Jimi Hendrix), and after a five-and-a-half-year passionate courtship, we got married on 2nd September 2017. We had formed a musical duo, called The Lovebirds, and in December 2020 we released a Christmas EP called Rock the Cradle. The project received good feedback from our local crowd, and we promoted it on a local radio and TV station. My husband is anIT expert, and around the time we were getting married, he founded an IT business called Skrypt. One year after our wedding, we found out that we were expecting our little lovebird,Paul-Emmanuel. A Cinderella Story, right? Unfortunately, the reality is far from what you think. In every season of life, I have experienced many challenges. Firstly, my time growing up abroad was not easy. Being a third culture kid has many complexities. I left my home country when I was four, and that gave me a lack of identity. I had to adapt to different countries, cultures, languages, and situations. This constant shift and instability led me to feel very confused and lost. I was misunderstood by some of my peers and experienced racism. I was too black for some people and too white for others. I was called ugly, a
Essential Grace
7
nigger, and a black dog on different occasions. I felt lonely and insecure. When I went back to Malawi at the age of thirteen in 2005, instead of receiving a warm welcome from the warm heart of Africa, I quickly was rejected, bullied, and abused badly by some classmates. It was too much for me; I had nowhere to turn. I would try to articulate my feelings and get called a drama queen. I felt that people around me did not understand 'me' as the tortured artist I am. As a result of all these negative experiences, I struggled intensely with depression from age 12 throughout my teens and twenties. I developed addictions and unhealthy coping mechanisms. I became bitter, angry and took my pain out on my loved ones. What saved me was my faith. I needed to believe in something bigger than myself. After my heart-breaking experiences, I stopped believing in God and became an atheist for some years. However, around the age of 18, I broke down one day, repented, asked God to forgive me for my sins and take me out of my miserable life! God heard my prayer, and I became a committed church member and entered ministry. My life has transformed since then. My faith is truly my foundation for how I manage to succeed in all the things I do. However, having faith doesn’t mean that you don’t experience problems. It simply means that you have a divine support system. God isWITH US. When I was pregnant, The Lord told me to call my son Emmanuel. My son is a living reminder of God’s presence. My middle name is Alinafe, which means God is with us in my local language of Chichewa. God gives me the strength to wake up each day Essential Grace
8
and be the light of the world, salt of the earth, wife, mom, daughter, sister, aunt, friend, and in-law. God gives me hope for this life and the next life. Being married is not a walk in the park. Two people becoming one is a life-long process. I will be the first to say that married people should practice patience, have godly counsel, and have a strong support system to survive. My pregnancy took a toll on my marriage because it was a difficult pregnancy. I had extreme nausea and morning sickness for five months. I became so sick that I was miserable. My joy was gone, and intimacy suffered. During the birth of my son, I had prolonged labor that resulted in a C-section. I had prayed for nine months to have a natural and easy delivery. So when that didn’t happen, well, I felt very let down by God. I was so disappointed and angrythat I couldn’t pray or read my bible for months afterward. My husband and I struggled to navigate through the sleepless nights and exhausting days of early parenthood. It was a very bleak reality to go from being a carefree young woman to a mom whose life centered on changing diapers and breastfeeding. I struggled to come to terms with my new life. I had to take a 2-year break from ministry to look after my son and battled with post-partum depression and anxiety. I became suicidal, despised my life, my responsibilities, and didn’t have any joy. My turning point came when one day, I prayed and asked God to help me. The Lord put it on my heart to begin ministering faith, hope, love, compassion, depth and honesty on social media. I began to encourage my friends, share my musical gifts, worked on my public speaking and began to make videos sharing the word of God and tackled real life issues. This started out very small, but over the past seven months, I have developed a Facebook Page, Podcast and Youtube Channel. I called it Ultravi and it means striving to be the best person that I can be. Ultraviolet light is invisible and the bible calls God the unapproachable light. It has become the greatest blessing of my life and I am so excited for it to grow and see where God shall take me. God recently blessed me with a job as a Personal Assistant, working at a local company called Own Your Lane. The company was founded by a Malawian lady called Mavis Kanjadza, and she teaches people about self-development, knowing one’s purpose, and using their gift to create impact and wealth. Now I have many balls to juggle and it’s not easy. It does become stressful and overwhelming managing my home, our Essential Grace
9
domestic help, being a working mom, assisting my husband with our family business, running my ministry, and serving at my local church from time to time. Sometimes I feel triumphant. Sometimes I feel defeated and I cry from the constant pressures and people I need to please. My prayer is that over time God helps me to focus, streamline and put all my energy into mymusical gifts and ministry. Ever since I was a child, music has always given me self- actualization and sweet satisfaction. It is my ultimate destiny. I would dream at night as a child of being onstage. As a teenager, a Pastor confirmed that God would use me on stages across the globe for His purpose. I’m so excited for the future. As I’m about to turn 30 the main lesson I have learned is that life is about seasons. You are given different assignments in different seasons, and you need to do your best, but you alsoneed to be gracious to yourself. As people, we need to focus on the things that we are most passionate about, learn from our mistakes, and challenge ourselves to be the best version that we are meant to be. I want to be God’s gift to the human race. I want to leave behind a legacy of love that is passed onto future generations. We are all unique, awesome, precious, and beautiful. We are NOT meant to compare ourselves with other people or live to please other people. We need to be good influences and make the world a better place. However, ultimately God will judge us all. Our opinions don’t matter so much. Know your lane, own your lane and ROCK IT!! I have learned how to cultivate a grateful heart and a positive attitude. I truly believe that my best years are ahead of me. I pray that you are blessed and inspired by my life. Keep up with Violet through these links:
(5) Violet Mtali - YouTube Skrypt | Facebook (1) Ultravi | Facebook
Essential Grace
10
monthly theme
,
. :
“ .” Essential Grace
11
There is a bond that you create between baby and mother, which is very important. I cannot even express the joy that I feel every time I am breastfeeding. My baby is looking into my eyes, and I am looking into hers andshe is touching my face. Only God could havedone something like that! I thank God for breastfeeding. I often see people looking at me funny or looking at a mom funny when she is trying to breastfeed in public.
wonderful experience. After that, I began to get used to it. However, it was a bit painful sometimes in those first days of breastfeeding.
My daughter is almost a year old now and I am still breastfeeding and enjoying it. It may sound a little old fashioned but sometimes old school does the trick. My reasoning is that there is a period where she is going to be teething which can be a nasty and horrible time for babies. They can get sick a lot. This is because they can grab and put things in their mouth that can cause them to throw-up a lot, There is nothing strange about lose weight and have a running tummy. The breastfeeding. I think it is very special best way to maintain their health is through that a woman can even take the time breast milk. to go throughsomething like that. My advice to a new mom would be to These days there are so many take the time to breastfeed your baby. You demands on what a woman is are never going to supposed to do. Not only are you a regret it no matter mother, but you are also working, how busyyou are. maybe also managing a business, Breastfeeding is the and at the same time, you have to only way you are find time to sit down and breastfeed going to know your your baby. However, you cannot baby. It is the only breastfeed while you are working or way babies talk to concentrating on other things. I their moms. They believe that breastfeeding requires are notgoing to talk your heart and mind to be present as to us verbally, but it you bond with your child. is throughwhat they I would say my first time do, how they touch breastfeeding was not hard at all. I us and how they did not know exactly what I was look at us while supposed to do. However, the breastfeeding that amazing thing was that it felt like my sayssomething. It is baby guided me.The first time, I just magical! latched my baby on to mybreast. Twimila, a Amazingly, miraculously, she knew second exactly what to do. I was even time mom, shocked. That, in itself, was a Lilongwe Essential Grace
12
Exclusive Breastfeeding Week, 2021 UNICEF, WHO Advocates for More Commitment in Domesticating Exclusive Breastfeeding
As the World marks 2021 exclusive breastfeeding week, United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) and World Health Organization (WHO) have advocated for implementation of commitments made by Nigerian government made at the start of this year by prioritizing breastfeedingfriendly environments for mothers and babies. The call was made in a joint press statement by UNICEF executive director Henrietta Fore and WHO DIrector-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus on the occasion marking the commencement of this year’s world breastfeeding week. The statement, jointly signed by the media contacts of UNICEF Nigeria , Geoffrey Njoku and WHO’s Pippa Haughton was made available to newsmen by Samuel Kaalu of UNICEF field office Kano, informed that the world bodies said that, this year’s World Breastfeeding Week, under its theme ‘Protect Breastfeeding: A Shared Responsibility’, is a time to Essential Grace
revisit the commitments which includes the ensuring of the International Code of Marketing of Breast milk Substitutes – established to protect mothers from aggressive marketing practices by the baby food industry that needs to be fully implemented by governments, health workers and industry. Ensuring health care workers have the resources and information they need to effectively support mothers to breastfeed, including through global efforts such as the Babyfriendly Hospital Initiative, and guidelines on breastfeeding counselling. Other commitment was the ensuring of employers allowing women the time and space they need to breastfeed; including paid parental leave with longer maternity leave; safe places for breastfeeding in the workplace; access to affordable and good- quality childcare; and universal child benefits and adequate wages. The statement posit that exclusive breastfeeding is central to realising this commitment. “Initiation of breastfeeding within the first hour of birth, followed by exclusive breastfeeding for six months and continued breastfeeding for up to two years or beyond offer a powerful line of defence against all forms of child malnutrition, including wasting and obesity. Breastfeeding also acts as babies’ first vaccine, protecting them against many 14
common childhood illnesses.
for 2030.
“While there has been progress in breastfeeding rates in the last four decades – with a 50 per cent increase in the prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding globally – the COVID-19 pandemic highlights the fragility of those gains.
“The percentage of children who werebreastfed within 1 hour of birth (42%) remains less than 50%. Breastfeeding ratesin Nigeria reduce with age – 83% of the children are breastfed up to one year, while 28% are breastfeeding till 2 years. Furthermore, the proportion of children who are not breastfeeding increases with age.
“In many countries, the pandemic has caused significant disruptions in breastfeeding support services, while increasing the risk of food insecurity and malnutrition. Several countries have reported that producers of baby foods havecompounded these risks by invoking unfounded fears that breastfeeding can transmit COVID19 and marketing their products as a safer alternative to breastfeeding. The statement disclosed that in Nigeria,where 1 in 8 children do not reach their 5th birthday and 3 in 10 children are stunted, optimal breastfeeding practices are known to reduce neonatal and child morbidities and mortality rates as well as stunting reduction. “Available statistics in Nigeria reveal that the average duration of exclusive breastfeeding is approximately 3 months and only 3 out of every 10 children under 6 months of age were exclusively breastfed (29%). This is an improvement from 17% in 2013 to 29% in 2018 (NDHS,2013; 2018), however, this still falls significantly below the target of 50% set by the World Health Assembly to be achieved in 2025 and the SDG target Essential Grace
The statement pointed out that, “as we approach the UN Food Systems Summit in September and the Tokyo Nutrition for Growth Summit in December, governments, donors, civil society and the private sector all have an opportunity to make smart investments and commitments to tackle the global malnutrition crisis – including protecting, promoting and supporting breastfeeding – through stronger policies, programmes and actions. “Now is not the time to lower our ambitions. Now is the time to aim high. We are committed to making the Nutrition for Growth Year of Action a success by ensuring that every child’s right to nutritious, safe and affordable food and adequate nutrition is realized from the beginning of life, starting with breastfeeding”, concludes the statement. Find this story at www.eastwestreporters.com Published online August 2, 2021
15
‘Breastfeeding reminds us of the universal truth of abundance; the more we give out, the more we are filled up, and that divine nourishment – the source from which we all draw is, like a mother’s breast, ever full and ever flowing.’ Sara Buckley
Essential Grace
16
Essential Grace
17
Breastfeeding safely during the COVID-19 pandemic by UNICEF If you’re a mother or expecting, it is only natural to have questions about what is safest for your baby during the COVID-19 pandemic. Evidence is overwhelmingly in support of breastfeeding. The transmission of COVID19 through breastfeeding or by giving breast milk has not been detected. Breastfeeding and skin-to-skin contact and early, exclusive breastfeeding helps your baby to thrive and provides lifelong health benefits. Here are some answers to common questions from new and expecting mothers to help provide the safest experience for you and your baby, whether you’re feeling healthy or experiencing signs and symptoms ofCOVID. Should I breastfeed during the pandemic? Yes. There is no evidence to date that the COVID-19 virus is transmitted through breastfeeding. Breast milk provides antibodies that give babies everywhere a healthy boost and protect them against many infections. Breastfeeding significantly reduces the risk of death in newborns and young infants, provides lifelong health benefits for children, and improves the health of mothers as well. Engage in skin-to-skin contact with your newborn. Placing your newborn close to you enables the early initiation of breastfeeding. Timing is everything and itis recommended to initiate breastfeeding within the first hour after delivery.
Essential Grace
If your baby is 6 months old or younger,he should be breastfed exclusively. Onceyour child is over 6 months, continue breastfeeding with safe and healthy complementary foods. Can you pass COVID-19 to your baby by breastfeeding? To date, active COVID-19 (virus that can cause infection) has not been detected in the breast milk of any mother with COVID19, so it is unlikely that COVID-19 can be transmitted through breast milk. Researchers are continuing to test breast milk from mothers with confirmedand suspected COVID-19. Should I breastfeed if I have or suspect I have COVID-19? Yes, you should continue breastfeeding with appropriate precautions. The transmission of COVID-19 through breast milk and breastfeeding has not been detected. Precautions include wearing a medical mask if available, washing your hands with soap and water or with an alcohol-based hand rub before and after touching your baby, and routinely cleaning and disinfecting surfaces you have touched. Your chest only needs to be washed if you have just coughed on it. Otherwise, your breast does not need to be washed before every feeding. Should I get the COVID-19 vaccine if I’m breastfeeding or providing expressed milk? Yes, the COVID-19 vaccines are recommended for healthy individuals who are lactating or expressing milk. Is it safe to continue breastfeeding after receiving a COVID-19 vaccine? Yes, you should continue breastfeeding after vaccination to protect your baby. None of the WHO-approved COVID-19 vaccines currently being used contain the live virus, so there is no risk of passing the virus to your baby through breast milk.
18
What should I do if I’m too unwell to breastfeed? If you are feeling too sick to nurse, try to find other ways to safely provide your child with breast milk. Try expressing milk and giving to your child via a clean cup or spoon. You could also consider donor human milk if available in your area. Speak to your breastfeeding counsellor or healthcare professional about the options available to you. Expressing breast milk is also important to sustain milk production so you can breastfeed your child again when you feel well enough to do so. There is no fixed time interval to wait after confirmed or suspected COVID-19. If expressing milk or donor human milk aren’t possible, then consider wet nursing if culturally accepted or infant formula milk provided it is correctly prepared, safe and readily available. Should I breastfeed if my child is sick? Continue to breastfeed your child if she becomes ill. Whether your little one contracts COVID-19 or another illness, it is important to continue nourishing her with breast milk.
Essential Grace
Breastfeeding boosts your baby’s immune system, and your antibodies are passed to her through breast milk, helping her to fight infections. What precautions should I take when breastfeeding? Make sure to follow hand washing guidelines. Your hands should be washed with soap and water before and after touching your baby. You may also use an alcohol-based hand rub. It is also important to clean and disinfect any surfaces that you have touched. Wash breast milk pumps, milk storage containers and feeding utensils after every use as usual. Find this article at www.unicef.org/coronavirus/breastfeedingsafely-during-covid-19-pandemic printedonline August 6th 2021. Article by Mandy Rich, Digital Content Writer, UNICEF
This article was originally published on 28May 2020. It was last updated on 29 July 2021.
19
For me breastfeeding was hard in the beginning, basically because I didn't know how to do it. So, in the end I ended uphurting myself. But when I started asking for help, I was taught how to feed my baby properly and that is when I started healing. But the moment I started feeding her properly, I realized it was the best experience ever because I got to connect with my child. And the way she looks into your eyes when you're breastfeeding, it's just an experience that I want every mother out there to experience. So weknow that breastfeeding is healthy for the baby, but I think the bonding experience is also a plus because it creates a stronger connection with your child. And even now when she's feeding, she holds on to my hand, she tries to cling to my body and sometimes when she is breastfeeding she does something with her little legs, it's so cute and it's fulfilling for a mother. It's important to get information on what to do before you give birth. I personally didn't know what I was going to do, of course I saw people breastfeeding, but I didn't know how my experience would be. It was even harder for me because I had a caesarean birth, so in the first few weeks I couldn't position my baby comfortably when I was breastfeeding, I had to use pillows. I think that also contributed to the pain in the beginning. However, breastfeeding is something that I'd wish every new mom to experience. Grace, a first-time mom. Lilongwe, Malawi 20
Essential Grace
20
When you can’t breastfeed… By Brittany Thomas
For some moms, they can physically makethe milk but their baby can’t drink it directly from their breasts. If that’s the case, then the mom can still try to feed the baby by exclusively pumping and giving their baby breast milk via bottle, supplemental nursing system, cup, spoon, syringe. This method means that your baby will still be able to drink your breast milk just in a different way. Of course, if you can’t make enough milk then this option won’t work in which case, you’ll want to try one of the four options below. Donor Milk Think of donor milk as today’s version of the wet nurse. A breastfeeding mom donates her milk to other moms who just can’t breastfeed (or need to supplementjust a bit due to low milk supply). Donor milk can be found via milk banks or through peer groups like Human Milk 4 Human Babies and Eats On Feets. Donor milk is obviously the closest supplement to breast milk because… it is breast milk! It’s just from another mama.
Essential Grace
Wet Nursing / Cross Nursing Wet nursing would refer to when you haveanother woman completely nurse your infant. Cross nursing would refer to more of an occasional nursing session from another mama who is also nursing her own child (usually more of a here and there thing such as through babysitting, or at daycare). Finding another breastfeeding mama who would be willing to nurse your own baby isprobably really difficult to do and of course you’d want to fully screen anyonewho would be nursing your baby. Homemade Formula Did you know you can actually make your own formula? This seems crazy but then again… is it really? I mean, we technically can make any “processed food” from scratch if wewant to… so why not formula? Now, homemade formula will mean that you’ll need a few ingredients that are probably not already stored in the kitchen and you will have to spend a little bit more time in order to make those bottles but you can also rest assured that you know just what 21
ingredients your baby is drinking. Formula Lastly there is the ever so popular formula option for those needing to supplement. Formula is likely to be the easiest option although most of the other options are not much more difficult. There are many baby formulas to choose from but it’s great to opt for formulas that soy, carrageenan, synthetic nutrients,and certain sweeteners…among other questionable ingredients.
If you are keen to learn how to make your ownbaby formula, check out some recipes here make your own formula Be sure to research your options thoroughly and always consult with yourphysician before making any decisions concerning your baby’s health and wellbeing.
Read more articles relating to baby-care and support for new moms from BrittanyThomas at www.pistachioproject.com
Essential Grace
22
World Breastfeeding Week, 1 – 7th August 2021 Theme: Protect Breastfeeding – A Shared Responsibility Breastfeeding is somewhat a controversial subject, yet it is as natural a topic as they come. Annually, from 1st to 7th August, breastfeeding week is held in 120 countries across the globe; Malawi participates in commemorating this week. The World Health Organization promotes breastfeeding as the most effective way toensure the survival of babies. Breastfeeding improves the quality of life through its nutritional, immunological, biological, and psychological benefits. After six months, a child must eat nutrient- rich foods to complement breast milk. Various organizations such as World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action (WABA), World Health Organization (WHO), and UNICEF promote activities around breastfeeding to bring awareness. They advocate for exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months and then continuation for up to two years for the health and well-being of the baby. Currently, around the world, less than 40% of babies are breastfed exclusively. In Malawi, although the statistics may varyaccording to region, it is observed that 97% of all mothers breastfeed their children. However, only 45% exclusively breastfeed for the first six months. The lownumber of mothers breastfeeding in Malawi is a consequence of modernization. Modernization has increased access to artificial milk Essential Grace
formulas allowing more women to join the workforce. Furthermore, advances in technology have invented the breast pump. The pump helps in collecting and storing milk for feeding when the mother is not physically available. Malawi published a policy titled: *Infant and Young Child Nutrition Policy and Guidelines 2003-2020. The policy articulates feeding practices and guidelines that public health officials promote to the general population. It also provides guidelines for mothers with HIV, discusses health supplements, diet diversification, and fortification standards of foods given to infants to ensure the best outcomes for babies. Commemorating this year’s theme, the Minister of Health observed that the pandemic has adversely affected mothers and babies as mothers are focusing on theeconomic effects of the pandemic instead of their children. Health services have also been overwhelmed and are not providing child and maternal services to their full extent. Unfortunately, breastfeeding has been negatively affected by the COVID-19 rumor mill. Some people say that breastfeeding can transmit COVID19 to babies, but so far, health experts argue that there is no scientific evidence to the claim. Health experts encourage breastfeeding mothers to wash their hands thoroughly before feeding the baby and towear masks. There are many beliefs and myths surrounding breastfeeding, though it is a natural and normal part of raising a child. For instance, in the West, there is 23
always outrage when mothers breastfeed in public. Ironically, those who argue against public breastfeeding also argue against having meals in toilets. Herein sets in the hypocrisy when the public believes that lactating mothers should breastfeed their babies in toilets. In addition, in some cultures, men are discouraged from having sex with their breastfeeding partners, which fuels promiscuity and sexually transmitted infections. While other cultures claim that if breasts are too large or small, the mother cannot breastfeed. However, breastfeeding remains key to an infant’s growth and well-being and should be a necessary part of their development without believing the myths. *Microsoft Word - Malawi IYCN policy FINAL.DOC (who.int)
By Steveria Kadangwe
Essential Grace
24
My breastfeeding experience was one of the most incredible things. Literally a whole human is dependent on food that your body produces. I think that is mindblowing. In the first few weeks, it was really difficult because the baby did not know how to breastfeed. I know they are born with a natural instinct. However, they do not actually know how to latch on and feed. And you do not always know how to position your nipples inside her/his mouth.So as a result, it was painful. It was frustrating for the baby and it was painful for me. It resulted into cracking of the nipple and sores. And those sores, my goodness, they are extremely painful! That was the bad experience for me. It wasreally painful in the first few weeks. I had sores. I had to Essential Grace
take a break. Thankfully, I had breast pumps. When I developed sores, I would pump out the milk because the problem is that if you stop, you can get mastitis and your ducts get clogged. You develop an infection because the milk is not coming out. Mastitis is very painful. You get really sick. You get a fever and it can get so bad you need antibiotics. Therefore, make sure that even when breastfeeding is painful at first, keep learning. Take a break when you need to and use a pump until the sores heal so that you can get back to it. That is what I did. The other thing to note is that breastfeeding takes a lot of time and is a lot of work. My child was a big eater, so I was breastfeeding every hour at times. At one point, I found myself sitting on the couch the whole day wondering, “What is this? What kind of life is this? I cannot even go out?” I could not do much because whenI was not breastfeeding, I was pumping through the night. It was difficult to get a good night's sleep. After the sixth month, I realized that my baby was getting some rashes and they kept getting worse to the point where every time I breastfed him, he would just get this breakout which was itchy and sore. Some allergy tests revealed that he had some mild allergy to milk and dairy 25
products. This is something that I would never have expected. He was reacting to the milk that I would drink or the cheese and any other dairy product I would eat. Because of this, I had to stop breastfeeding earlier. At the sixmonth mark, we transitioned completely to formula. I knewthat what you eat can pass on to the baby.However, I did not know that the baby can be allergic to some of the things that you eat that pass through the milk. That is why it is really important to be careful what youinclude in your diet.
more during the night. I would say, if you can afford to get a breastpump, get one and if you have a fridge, freeze your milk. It can last there for between three to six months. Check with a trusted expert for the latest information on precisely how long you can freeze it to be sure. That for me was really convenient. Chifundo Chilera-Eze, a first time mom. Washington, USA
And finally, the last thing that I really enjoyed about breastfeeding is that it is cheap. Formula is so expensive! Breastfeeding, on the other hand, is really cheap especially if you are able to produce milk. When you breastfeed and pump in between, you can get a really good supply. There were times when I would have aweek's worth of milk in the fridge. As a result, there was enough milk in case I fell sick or something happened where I could not breastfeed. This also allowed me to take some breaks or decide to sleep a bit
Essential Grace
26
‘Mother’s milk is soul food for babies. The babies of the world need a lot more soul food.’ Ina May Gaskin
Essential Grace
27
when breastfeeding is not recommended by Amy O’Connor
It's true that some women are unable to breastfeed, at least not exclusively. Some women will produce a low supply of breast milk, for example, and others will encounter other breastfeeding issues that make nursing difficult. If you hope to breastfeed, you can still give nursing a try, but be prepared to supplement with a bottle of infant formula in case it does not work for you. There are other reasons why you might beunable to breastfeed, and, rarely, circumstances when it is not advisable to breastfeed. Here's an overview to help you make the best decision about breastfeeding for you and your baby.
Essential Grace
28
HIV infection You should not breastfeed if you have been infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), because the virus can be passed to your child through the milk. Women infected with cytomegalovirus and hepatitis C generally can breastfeed, but not if their nipples are cracked or sore. If you have any kind of infectious disease, discuss therisks and options for breastfeeding with your doctor before deciding what to do.
medication without discussing it with your doctor. There are some medications that pass into the breast milk and can hurt the baby, like anti- thyroid medication, chemotherapeutic agents, and some mood-altering drugs. Check with your practitioner to see whether any drugs you are taking present a problem, and don’t forget to mention supplements, vitamins, herbal teas and remedies, and over-thecounter medications too.
Radiation therapy
Serious infections
You shouldn't nurse if you are receiving radiation in any form, and you may not be able to for a period of time before radiation treatment, or after being near a person who is receiving radiation treatment. Radiation can be a serious health risk to your baby, so be sure to discuss it with your doctor if you or anyone you know is getting radiation treatment.
You should not nurse if you have a serious infection like active, untreated tuberculosis.
Medications that pass into breast milk A report by the American Academy of Pediatrics finds that most medications and immunizations are safe to use during lactation, but don't make the decision to nurse while taking Essential Grace
Drug or alcohol addiction You shouldn't nurse if you have a drug or alcohol addiction and you are still using drugs or alcohol. Smoking Smokers can breastfeed, but you shouldn't light up at least 95 minutes before every feeding, to reduce the nicotine or other chemicals that are in your milk and never smoke around your baby. A much better idea: quit smoking and keep breastfeeding your baby.
29
Medical reasons why breastfeedingmay be difficult
supply of breast milk.) Postpartum depression or anxiety
Hypoplasia or IGT Hypoplasia of the breast, also known as insufficient glandular tissue or IGT, occurs when the mammary tissue and glands don't develop normally. Women with this rare condition often have breasts that don't produce enough milk to nurse. Serious illness While it's ok to breastfeed with some conditions, if you have a serious illness — heart failure, for example, or severe anemia — breastfeeding might not be healthy for you or baby. It's a good idea to discuss any health conditions you have or are at risk for with your doctor before making the decision to breastfeed. Breast reduction surgery If you've had breast reduction surgery, chances are good that you'll have a low supply of breast milk and won't be able to nurse exclusively, because the breast tissue that was removed contained milk glands and ducts. (If you've had breast augmentation, there's also a small chance that you'll have a low Essential Grace
While you will be physically able to breastfeed with postpartum depression or anxiety, studies suggest there is a link between the two. This doesn't mean breastfeeding causes postpartum depression or anxiety, but it could be an added stressor. If you are coping with any psychological condition, discuss the risks of breastfeeding with your doctor, and don't feel guilty or distressed if you have to stop. Regaining your mental health should be you and your family's top priority. Feeding baby when breastfeeding isnot possible Pumping formula
supplemented
with
Whether you're having trouble producing enough milk or need a break from trying, pumping supplemented with formula is a handy option. A good breast pump will allow you to fill and store milk and can help you maintain your flow during periods when your baby is formula- feeding. Formula feeding
30
While the decision to transition from breastfeeding to formula can be emotionalfor some moms, most little ones switch to a baby bottle without protest. Just remember that snuggling, closeness and all the good bonding rituals are still important, whether your baby feeds from a boob or a bottle.
Taken from the What to Expect editorial team and Heidi Murkoff, author of What to Expect When You're Expecting. What to Expect has strict reporting guidelines and uses only credible primary sources. Health information on this site is regularly monitored based on peer-reviewed medical journals and highly respected health organizations and institutions. Printed at www.whattoexpect.com 10 th August, 2020
Essential Grace
31
Essential Grace
32
… Fenugreek seeds and leaves Fenugreek is a lactation superfood, known to increase milk flow and
after mint. They also enhance flavour of certain vegetables likecarrots. Coconut This is a must have for all
provide a number of
new
benefits such as
essential fatty acids and
improving digestion and lowing blood sugars. You can incorporateit in the form of a vegetable, a salad or toss it in your sandwiches. Dill leaves Dill leaves and their
omega 3, coconuts help aid increase milkproduction and provide many important vitamins and minerals. Garlic This aromatic herb uplifts
seeds increase milkflow
any dish also improves milk
and provide a heady
supply. This flavourful herb
source of iron. The
isrich in anti-oxidant allin
leaves make for a delicious dal or simply as a vegetable to accompany with your meals.
mothers. Containing
which reduces inflammation in the body. Figs
Fennel seed Fresh or dry, these never disappoint. Known as a digestiveaid they also ensure adequate milk supply. The easiest way tohave it is as an after mint- immediately after a meal, tossed with mixed seeds. Sesame seeds
Sweet and juicy, figs are excellent to increase milk flow and provide calcium- an ingredient essential for lactating mothers. Often the internal calcium supply is not sufficient for both the mother and the newborn, and additional supply is needed to prevent leaching of the mother's bones.
These seeds maybetiny but they pack a solid punch. A great source of calcium, they also aid milk flow.Add sesame seeds to some eggs, salads, pancakes, or to your Essential Grace
33
‘There is a lot of depression and anxiety among
children . This is a generation that is growing up without the emotional support ,love ,and care of the family .’ Fran Miller Essential Grace
34
Depression in Children
of not having fun, difficulty concentrating, guilt, sleeping problems, and eating problems are all too common in children. In pre- pubertal children, depression is often genetic, and these children have other disorders such as conduct or behavioural disorder. Most importantly, family history ofdepression is the biggest risk factor for children. If your parent is depressed the child is more likely to develop depression.
By Roshin Ibrahim
One of the most common symptoms of depression in children is irritability but theymay also show symptoms that are present in adults, such as: sadness, lethargy, anhedonia, feelings of worthlessness or guilt and engaging in self destructive behavior (conduct disorder).
Sometimes, parents may ignore the depressive symptoms that their child may be showing. It may be because they assumetheir child is either seeking for attention or is just lazy. Yet, depression occurs in 1-2% of children before puberty. Depression can be found in pre-schoolers and pre-pubertal children. What is depression? It is an illness that affects the body, mood and thoughts of the person which leads to appetite loss or gain, sleep dysfunction and low self-esteem. Depressive disorders are characterized by mood changes that affecta person’s daily functioning. How can we identify Depression in children? Depressive disorders in children do not have a specific cause, rather a play of bothnature and nurture. The symptoms Essential Grace
Furthermore, psychological contributors to depression may include low selfesteem, negative social skills, being unable to deal with negative events or trauma, neglectfrom parents and peers, and social bullying. Additionally, depression may develop due to other mental health problems such as children who suffer from Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD), anxiety, learning disabilities, cognitive problems and conduct disorder may develop depression. Other factors that could lead to a child developing depression could be poverty, exposure to violence, parental conflict, disrupted families and divorce. Children with depression may also exhibit the following symptoms:
Impaired performance of school Boredom Aggression 35
Impatient Frequent physical complaints such as body pains, stomachaches, and headaches Reckless behavior towards themselves Young children may act younger than their age (regression).
Why Do Children Get Depressed? Children are dependent on their parent for most of their needs to be satisfied therefore a significant source of depression is disrupted families. Poverty, abuse, or neglect can reset the children’s stress response which can trigger depression. Secondly, the loss of a parent or a belovedis another source of depression. Furthermore, developmental and learning problems can affect the child’s sense of self and make way for depression. In most rural areas it has been noted that children are put into difficult situations at a young age which causes them to make mature decisions even before they have come of age, this robs them of the pleasures of being a child and could lead to depression. Types of Depression in Children Children may suffer from episodes of moderate to severe depression. They may also experience mild to moderate low mood of Dysthymia. Depression may also be part of other mood disorders such as bipolar disorder or side effects to certain medicines such as cold medications which were given at a young age. Depression can also be genetically acquired from the parents. Furthermore, depression can also develop through biological causes such as pre-natal issues, alcohol consumption Essential Grace
during pregnancy, low birth weight etc. Biologically, depression is associated with a deficiency of the serotonin neurotransmitter in the brain. This can alsobe due to the personality type that the childhas acquired. However, studies have shownthat girls are more likely to be diagnosed with depression and this may be due to the gender differences and their fixed roles in society. How Is Depression Diagnosed and What Available?
in Children Treatment is
Early detection of depression can help the child to recover sooner as the longer depression goes untreated, the harder it is to treat it. If the symptoms stated above have lasted for at least two weeks, then the parent will have to schedule a visit to their doctor to rule out physiological reasons forthe symptoms. The child can be taken to a pediatrician, or a mental health care professional where necessary. Thereafter, a mental health care provider will evaluate your child through interviews and psychological testing to gather information for a proper treatment plan. Treatment options for children are those like adults, which include psychotherapy (counselling) and medication. However, medications may have their share of side effects as such the parent will have to monitor these medications under the care of a professional and talk to them about the risks and benefits to your child. Studies haveshowed that psychotherapy has a large andlasting effect on the symptoms and is the most effective treatment for childhood depression. The younger the child is the more important it is to treat them in conjunction with Parent-dyadic Therapy. 36
It has often been noticed that parents sometimes find it easier to deny that their child has depression and may put off seeking medical help because of the stigmas associated to mental illness. But it is very important to realize that the correct treatment at the correct time will help yourchild to grow in a healthy way both physically and emotionally. Ignoring depression is never a wise step, particularly in children. If it remains untreated it could last for an average of four to eight months which can affect the child’s learning abilities, academic performance and relationships with family members and peers. This can also lead to having relapse episodes throughout their lifetime and creating a much more significant problem. Therefore, both the quality of parentchild communication and type of family environment are important, hence maintaining it well can help prevent depression. If there are tensions in the house, it is advised to sort them out, address and reduce them preferably without the child’s knowledge. Additionally, if your child is suffering then support Is very crucial for them, let the child know that you are aware of their struggles,and they can come and talk to you about them, so they know they are not alone. Parents can help children understand their feelings and talk them out of it. A nurturingparent-child bond is the best form of home treatment for young children. This involves outdoor activities, exposure to adventures and sunlight and quality time with the parent. These are natural antidepressants.
Essential Grace
Roshin Ibrahim
37
Telltale Signs of Depression: So, first things first; what are the telltale signs of depression in children? A child that is suffering from depression will have trouble sleeping and eating, have trouble concentrating, isolate himself or herself, show sadness or have a hot temper, and have a feeling of guilt and hopelessness. Accordingto Nurture Empower, most parents or guardians will not realize that their child is depressed just because these days, we are so swamped with work and other chores that we are less involved in our children’s lives. So, as a parent or guardian, be involved in your child’s life no matter how grown or little they are. And if your child is showing signs of depression, make sure that you help them beat and overcome itbefore it takes a toll on them. Moving on, in addition to seeking professional help, here are some of the things that you could do at home to help your little one regain his or her happiness and charm:
Appreciate your child’s achievements, no matter how small they are – children love to feel and see that they are appreciated and recognized at all times. So, keep showing it to your child by praising them for the good things they do or their achievements.
Slow down on punishment – Gone are the days when punishment was seen as a way of correcting a child. Most children turn to negative behaviors because of different reasons and unfortunately, depression is one of them. By punishing this child, you will be adding salt to injury. So, turn to other measures like talking the child out of their negative behaviors. Don’t dwell on mistakes – We all make mistakes and like they say it, no one is perfect. Stopdwelling on the wrongs but recognize and appreciate the rights.
Gain their trust – When your child trusts you, they will have no problem expressing their fears or problems to you. And through that trust, you will be able to help your child deal with stressing matters and reduce the chances of them falling into depression.
by Pam Maynard Printed at www.momdoesreviews.com on March 4, 2018
Essential Grace
38
https://dspl7.org.uk/social-emotional-mental-health-wellbeing Essential Grace
39
When is it time to get my child help for mental health issues? By Child Mind Institute, Understood Founding Partner
When children have emotional or behavioral problems, the earlier they get treatment, the easier it is to help them. But as parents, you also want to avoid unnecessary treatment and costs in both time and money. When you are concerned about a child’s mental health, you might be told by family members, friends, and maybe even your pediatrician to relax and wait — that kids grow out of it. Sometimes this is good advice. Sometimes it is not.
Essential Grace
When
to
take
action There are times when it’s clearly not agood idea to wait to get your child help for mental health issues. For instance: Eating disorders: The longer a child lives with an eating disorder, the harder it is to recover. Getting treatment as quickly as possible can save your child’s life. Family history: If mental illness runsin your family, be aware of the increased possibility that your child will begin to develop a disorder. In this case it isimportant to act promptly. Cutting and other self-harm: If you discover your child has been self-harming in any way, even if they say it was a one- time thing, it’s important to get help. It’s dangerous behavior that may be a way of dealing with a serious mental health issue. When to wait Some life events can cause changes in your child’s functioning as a part of a process of adjustment. Things like: Parental divorce Changing schools A new sibling These can all have troubling effects on a child’s behavior. Most often this will pass with time. In fact, the criteria for many child and adolescent psychiatric disorders require problem behaviors or feelings to be present for at least a period of weeks ormonths. Sometimes you need to watch
40
and wait. Watching and waiting How long you decide to monitor feelings and behaviors that concern you, or “symptoms,” depends on the age of your child and what you think is wrong. Behavior issues If your child’s behavior is causing chronic trouble in school or is seriously disrupting your family life, it’s important to get help. Sometimes, disruptive, explosive, or dangerous behavior can be generated by anxiety, trauma, and frustration from an undiagnosed learning problem , amongother things. Once you understand what’s behind your child’s behavior, there are often therapies that can be effective in teaching kids to rein in their behavior. When kids are out of control with parents or teachers, they need help. It can impact the health and well- being of your whole family. For behavior problems, you’ll want to consult a mental health professional who can help diagnose and treat behavior disorders. You can consult a behavioral psychologist who specializes in children and adolescents, a child psychiatrist, or a social worker with expertise in Essential Grace
treating young people. Emotional issues If a child seems unusually anxious or sad or irritable for a long period of time and it isinterfering with their ability to do things that are appropriate for thier age, it’s a good idea to seek help. Kids who are seriously anxious or depressed are not just suffering. They’re missing out on important parts of childhood. You want toget help as soon as possible, before your child falls behind in social and academic development. It’s also a good idea because the longer kids live with something like anxiety, the likelier it is to shape their behavior in harmful ways. Kids who couldn’t sleep apart from their parents might become school-age kids who can’t have sleepovers with friends or go to camp. Kids who are excessively fearful could become adolescents whose identity and social life are structured around avoiding things that make them anxious. Active waiting If you decide to wait to get help, keep an eye on the problem and be ready to act if it doesn’t improve. Monitoring your child’s 41
behavior can help you collect valuable information. What you don’t want to do is ignore a problem. Don’t convince yourself that “something” is “nothing.” Talking to your partner Getting help for your child, or not doing it, can be complicated by disagreement between parents as to what is or isn’t a “problem.” It’s common for parents to have different pictures of a child’s behavior, and different opinions about the kind of response that would be helpful. This is a major reason families wait to seek advice or care. But, like all waiting, it should be active. Set a timetable for when you will talk about the issue again, and see if
you can agree on goals for behaviors you would like to see changed. If you keep track of the issues you’re concerned about, you’ll have clearer grounds for making a decision when you revisit the subject. Here are more things you can do if you’re concerned about your child’smental health: Get to know signs of anxiety and depression in kids . Find out what to do if you thinkyour child is depressed . Read expert advice on how to helpkids who are lonely . You can also get tips on how to respondwhen your child is frustrated .
For more information on treatment for mentalhealth issues in Malawi please access our Resources section. Read this article and more atwww.understood.org
Occupational Therapist Warm Heart Children’s Therapy Area 3/464 Barron Avenue Lilongwe, Malawi.
Dr Precious Makiyi Child and Adolescent Mental Health Professional 0999 426 368
0999 934 333
Essential Grace
42
If you are a mental health worker, or know of one that would like to be included in our resources section, please get in touch using the contact details provided. We do not charge any fees to advertise medical, welllness, or mental health resources in this magazine
Essential Grace
43
Essential Grace
44
