Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital in Gauteng has expanded its lactation centre to provide enhanced support for mothers. This expansion is part of a broader initiative by the Gauteng Department of Health. It aims to improve maternal and child health outcomes. The centre’s increased capacity ensures that more mothers can access the vital resources needed to successfully breastfeed. This contributes to the nutritional well-being of infants across the province.
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Table of contents
- The Importance of Breastfeeding for Premature Babies
- The Expanded Lactation Centre at Chris Hani Baragwanath
- What the Centre Offers
- Addressing Breastfeeding Challenges
- Broader Impact on the Community
- Economic and Health Benefits
- Strengthening Maternal and Child Health in Gauteng
- Enhancing the Hospital’s Role in Maternal Health
- A Step Toward Healthier Communities
Expansion of the RMHC Lactation Centre at Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital
On 5 August 2025, the Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) Lactation Centre at Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital was officially expanded to better serve mothers of premature and hospitalised newborns. This expansion increases the centre’s capacity to accommodate up to 44 women per session, a significant increase from the previous capacity of 18. The expansion ensures that more mothers can access the essential services they need to successfully express breast milk, which is vital for the survival and development of premature infants.
The Importance of Breastfeeding for Premature Babies
Breast milk is critical for premature babies as it strengthens their immunity, reduces the risk of infections, and supports overall organ development. As such, the RMHC Lactation Centre plays a crucial role in supporting mothers who need to express milk for their babies, especially those in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs).
In June 2025 alone, the Centre recorded over 1,900 visits, with mothers expressing more than 131 litres of breast milk. This milk directly benefited infants in the NICUs, contributing to their health and recovery.
The Expanded Lactation Centre at Chris Hani Baragwanath
The lactation centre at Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital, one of Gauteng’s largest healthcare facilities, has been expanded to accommodate the growing demand for breastfeeding support. The newly upgraded centre offers more space and resources for mothers. It assists those seeking help with breastfeeding techniques. It also aids in managing lactation issues and understanding the health benefits of breastfeeding.
What the Centre Offers
The expanded centre now provides the following services:
- Personalized Consultations: Expert lactation consultants offer one-on-one sessions to address specific breastfeeding challenges.
- Group Workshops: Mothers can attend group support sessions to learn about breastfeeding techniques and share experiences.
- Education on Health Benefits: The centre educates mothers about the numerous benefits of breastfeeding for both themselves and their babies.
This holistic approach to breastfeeding support aims to build mothers’ confidence. It helps them establish successful breastfeeding routines. This enables them to continue breastfeeding for the recommended duration.
Addressing Breastfeeding Challenges
Many new mothers face breastfeeding difficulties such as low milk supply, latching issues, and discomfort during feeding. In some instances, cultural factors or a lack of understanding about the importance of breastfeeding can lead to early weaning. It may also result in reliance on formula feeding.
Common Challenges Tackled by the Centre
The lactation centre at Chris Hani Baragwanath is dedicated to helping mothers overcome these common breastfeeding issues. Some of the challenges addressed include:
- Low Milk Supply: Providing strategies and techniques to increase milk production.
- Latching Problems: Helping mothers achieve the correct latch to ensure effective feeding.
- Discomfort or Pain: Offering guidance on how to reduce pain during breastfeeding and improve comfort.
By providing personalized support, the lactation centre ensures that mothers can successfully navigate these challenges and continue breastfeeding.
Broader Impact on the Community
The expanded lactation centre not only benefits individual mothers but also has a wider impact on the community. Promoting breastfeeding reduces the reliance on formula feeding. Formula feeding can be costly for many families. Breastfeeding is a free, nutritious, and highly beneficial way to feed infants. It makes feeding accessible for families in the province.
Patricia Mulaudzi, now the Centre’s manager, also began her journey as a mother in need of
support. “I walked into the room feeling broken, but the staff reminded me I was loved, cared for,
and not alone. They gave me hope and made sure I felt supported every single day.”
Economic and Health Benefits
The economic benefits of breastfeeding are significant. By reducing the need for expensive formula and medical interventions, breastfeeding helps families save money. Furthermore, the health benefits associated with breastfeeding contribute to reduced healthcare costs. It does so by lowering the incidence of childhood illnesses and improving long-term health outcomes for both mothers and children.
Strengthening Maternal and Child Health in Gauteng
The expansion of the lactation centre at Chris Hani Baragwanath is an essential step. It strengthens maternal and child health services in Gauteng. The centre now has the capacity to assist more mothers. This ensures they receive the necessary support to breastfeed successfully.
Enhancing the Hospital’s Role in Maternal Health
As one of the largest hospitals in Gauteng, Chris Hani Baragwanath plays a vital role in the province’s maternal and child health services. The expanded lactation centre strengthens this role. It offers comprehensive breastfeeding support to mothers in need. This initiative complements other maternal health services provided at the hospital. Thus, it ensures that mothers and babies receive holistic care.
A Step Toward Healthier Communities
The expanded lactation centre at Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital is an important development. It is part of Gauteng’s efforts to improve maternal and child health. By providing more mothers with the support they need to successfully breastfeed, the centre plays a crucial role. It promotes better health outcomes for both mothers and infants.
MEC Nkomo-Ralehoko praised the Centre as “a gift of love, health, and support,” and highlighted
the success of public-private partnerships in making the expansion possible. “Let us keep
the milk flowing. Let us keep the partnerships growing,” she urged.
This expansion is a significant step in the Gauteng Department of Health’s broader commitment to improving healthcare services for families. It serves as a model for other healthcare facilities across the province. It demonstrates the importance of supporting breastfeeding as a key component of infant and maternal well-being.
