North Guadalcanal mothers discover the power of breastfeeding
For young mothers gathered at Good Samaritan Hospital in North Guadalcanal, World Breastfeeding Week became more than a celebration.
It was an opportunity to learn, reflect and better understand how breastfeeding can give their children a healthier start in life.
Mothers attending postnatal check-ups at Good Samaritan Hospital Wednesday last week were given practical information on the importance of breastfeeding as health workers and partners took the 2026 World Breastfeeding Week campaign directly to the community.
A team from the Guadalcanal Province Health Division, the Ministry of Health and Medical Services, Live & Learn and UNICEF used the occasion to engage with mothers who turned out in numbers for their postnatal appointments, sharing information on breastfeeding practices and the role breast milk plays in protecting children from illness.
For Edith Kusele, a young mother of two, the awareness was an eye-opening experience.
“Hearing some of the presentations today, as a young mother I feel guilty because I didn’t follow some of these things,” Kusele said.
“I didn’t even seek help from nurses, but now I’m happy because I’ve learned a lot about the importance of breastfeeding,” she added.
UNICEF Nutrition Officer Salome Namohunu told mothers that breastfeeding is one of the most important ways they can give their children a healthy start in life.
“Breastfeeding ensures that every baby receives the best start in life. Breastfeeding is the best and safe natural food for babies, and it is readily available,” Namohunu said.
She highlighted the importance of exclusive breastfeeding during the first six months of a baby’s life, explaining that breast milk provides the nutrition and protection babies need to grow strong and healthy.
Namohunu also stressed that breastfeeding should be viewed as more than simply a feeding choice.
“Breastfeeding is more than a feeding choice. The choice to breastfeed your child is a powerful act of love and the first child protection you can give your child against all forms of sickness.”
She urged mothers to begin breastfeeding as soon as possible after birth, particularly during the first critical 24 hours.
Health Promotion Officer with Guadalcanal Province Health Division, Smith Neremola, said the campaign was deliberately taken to the community so mothers could access information where they live and receive services.
“In celebrating World Breastfeeding Week, we would like to come down to the community level purposely to share information on the importance of breastfeeding,” Neremola said.
He said the awareness covered breastfeeding during the first 24 hours after birth, the first six months of a child’s life and how mothers can continue breastfeeding during emergencies and disasters.
The sessions also provided mothers with an opportunity to reflect on their own experiences.
Mother and teacher Caroline Matangani said awareness programmes such as the one held at Good Samaritan Hospital are important because some mothers may lack information about appropriate feeding practices.
She said mothers are often a baby’s first point of contact and have an important responsibility to ensure their children are properly fed and cared for.
“Awareness like this is very important to teach these mothers so that they know the importance of breastfeeding and feed their children,” Matangani said.
The 2026 World Breastfeeding Week comes with the theme, ‘Breastfeeding for a sustainable start in life: strengthen what works.’
It forms part of broader efforts by health authorities and partners to strengthen community understanding of breastfeeding and encourage practices that support child survival, growth and development.
World Breastfeeding week celebration this year is supported by Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA).
The campaign also aims to ensure mothers are better prepared to breastfeed in the critical early period after birth and during challenging circumstances, including disasters.
For the mothers who gathered at Good Samaritan Hospital, the message was clear: breastfeeding is not simply about feeding a baby—it is one of the earliest and most powerful ways a mother can protect her child.
