The breast is the healthiest and cheapest way to feed your baby, Mitchell’s Plain day hospital staff said during a programme to promote breastfeeding last week.

The "Unveiling the veil of breastfeeding” programme at Wolfgat Environmental Education Centre, in Tafelsig, on Thursday September 12 was for mothers and their babies.

“We would like to encourage mothers that breast is best and that they should breastfeed exclusively for the first six months,” said day hospital social worker Rene Daniels.

“It encourages bondings, it is cost-effective and it helps the baby build antibodies for strong immune systems,” she said.

The mothers were encouraged to form breastfeeding support groups near their homes, and dietician Quanita Salaam gave tips on the best way to nurse.

“Mother must be comfortable, back upright and the baby is brought towards her,” she said. “Remove all of the blankets and barriers between you and the baby and try to be as close together as possible.

“When you position your baby, bring the baby towards you. Support baby’s bum. Baby’s tummy faces mom’s tummy. Ears, shoulders and hips are in a straight line. Let baby attach to the areola - the darker skin around the nipple. Check that the lower lip is curled out. Mouth is wide open. Chin is touching the breast to make sure the nose is not on top of the breast. Cheeks are nice and round. Once you see there are dimples, attachment is incorrect.”

She warned that if the baby only sucked on the nipple, the nipple would likely crack, causing the mother pain.

"If there is any pain or discomfort, then something is wrong,“ she said.

Ms Salaam said the small details of breastfeeding mattered, including the way the baby was held and that both the baby and mother were calm and comfortable.

Formula was a costlier feeding option as it required water, electricity, bottle teats and sterilised bottles and if some of those were lacking, it could lead to stress and sick babies, including constipation, diarrhoea and chest problems, she said.

Muneerah Williams, 33, of Tafelsig, said she hoped to exclusively breastfeed her third child. She said she had had little breastfeeding support with her previous children, aged 6 and 2, but while in hospital, more than a week ago, a nurse had taken the time to show her how to breastfeed.

For more information and to form a support group call Ms Salaam or Ms Daniels at 021 684 1446.

Tafelsig mothers celebrate their breastfeeding skills.

Ronique Solomons, 32, breastfeeding her ten-week old daughter Taleah Grace.