Statement from Mr Eric Njong Founder and Managing Director SOCIÉTÉ BUNS SUN Nutrition Ambassador

PRESS STATEMENT: SUN Nutrition AmbassaDor, Mr. Njong Eric,

Founder and Managing Director, SOCIÉTÉ BUNS, YAOUNDE, May 17 2023 

“Combining work and breastfeeding is not only possible but also essential for both mother and child”

Poor nutrition during the first years of a child's life can have irreversible consequences on his health. For the first 6 months of life, breast milk is the ideal food for infants. It is safe, clean, and contains antibodies that protect them from many common childhood diseases. It also provides all the energy and nutrients needed by an infant. This is why the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends exclusive breastfeeding during this period (the first 6 months of life); a time when the infant usually needs no other food or drink. Even water is not necessary.

Despite its importance and cost-effectiveness, exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life is under-practiced in many countries of the world. It is estimated that one third of the deaths of children under 5 years of age in the world are due to undernutrition which exposes children to a much higher risk of dying from or being severely affected by childhood diseases. During the first six months of life, a non-breastfed infant is 14 times more likely to die (from all causes) than an exclusively breastfed infant. Breastfeeding is therefore the baby's first "vaccine".

On the other hand, adolescents and adults who were breastfed have a reduced chance of being overweight or obese and demonstrate better IQ test results. Breastfeeding is also good for mothers as it lowers the risk of breast and ovarian cancer later in life, as well as the risk of diabetes and postpartum depression.

Awareness and practice of exclusive breastfeeding in Cameroon is estimated at just above 40%, still below the WHO standard, which requires all countries to achieve at least 50 percent exclusive breastfeeding of infants from birth to six months by 2025. Besides social and cultural reasons, this low performance is due to lack of knowledge and professional constraints including insufficient breastfeeding support especially in the workplace. It is therefore of utmost importance that employers play a role in achieving this goal. What can they do?

Establishing breastfeeding rooms in companies should be seen as a sustainable way to encourage women to breastfeed exclusively, especially since it has been shown to increase by 25%, a women's intention to continue breastfeeding after maternity leave.

Breastfeeding rooms have many benefits for the baby, the mother and even the employer. For the employer, there is a reduction in health care costs, a reduction in absenteeism, an improvement in productivity and a significant increase in employee retention. Breastfeeding should not be seen as an obstacle to productivity.Research shows that women are more likely to stay in their job in the longer term, if they can breastfeed at work – which is a good way of retaining skilled workers.

A workplace that is “baby-friendly” provides women with clean, safe, comfortable and private facilities to feed their babies, as well as express breast milk for storage in a fridge.  A day-care facility and family-friendly working time arrangements for both women and men are also feasible.

As to how much it costs to have a functional breastfeeding room, it depends on the needs of your business or company. If you convert existing space into a breastfeeding room, it may cost nothing. To convert an existing room, you may need to buy supplies and furniture, such as a table, chair and baby bed. Some spaces might need a lock installed. For outdoor workplaces, a tent or new portable restroom shell (without the toilet parts) can be conveniently used. It is also important to bear in mind that most of the expenses for a breastfeeding room (space) occurs in the first year of starting the service.

I therefore encourage all the presidents, general managers and promoters to accompany us in this process. Let us support our women, daughters, sisters, colleagues and employees to breastfeed exclusively for at least 6 months. Let's create favourable spaces in our institutions and better prepare future generations.

Thank you!!!

Mr Eric Njong

CEO Ste BUNS

Cameroon SUN Nutrition Ambassador