07/08/2026
As World Breastfeeding Week comes to an end...
..the conversation shouldn't.
Breastfeeding Week may be over, but a mother's commitment to giving her baby the best possible start in life continues every single day.
A funny memory came to mind while writing this.
When my mum was nursing my younger sibling, she would always joke that "this baby is enjoying whatever I'm eating through breast milk." ๐
And honestly, many of us grew up hearing something similar.
Fast forward to today, and I still hear mothers say things like:
"My baby was staring at me while I was eating groundnuts, so I crushed a little and gave some to him."
Or,
"She's craving what I'm eating."
I know it comes from love.
But here's what many people don't realize...
A baby younger than six months isn't asking for your food. Their digestive system is still developing and isn't ready to process foods like groundnuts, pap, custard, water, or family meals.
Introducing these foods too early doesn't help the baby grow faster. Instead, it can increase the risk of infections, allergies, choking, digestive problems, and poor nutrient absorption.
Nature already provided the perfect first food.
Breast milk.
It contains all the water, nutrients, antibodies, healthy fats, proteins, and energy an infant needs during the first six months of life.
One lesson nutrition has taught me is this:
Growth has stages, and every stage deserves to be respected.
We don't rush babies to walk before they're ready.
We shouldn't rush their stomachs to digest foods they aren't ready for either.
So as we close out World Breastfeeding Week, my message to every mother, expectant mother, grandmother, aunt, and caregiver is simple:
๐ Trust your body.
๐ Trust the process.
๐ Strengthen what already works.
Because every time you choose exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months, you're giving your baby more than food.
You're giving them protection.
You're giving them nourishment.
You're giving them the healthiest possible start in life.
To every mother doing her best, even on the hard days, we see you, and you're doing something truly remarkable. โค๏ธ
๐ฟ Nourish Notes
Nourish your body. Nourish your life.