At least 62 babies - 39 boys and 23 girls - were delivered across facilities in the North West yesterday afternoon.

Around 13:00, Bojanala district had 26 babies born - 18 boys and eight girls; Dr Kenneth Kaunda district had 12 babies born - four boys and eight females; Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati had 15 babies born - 11 boys and four girls; and Ngaka Modiri Molema had nine babies born Babies - six boys and three girls.

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In the Free State, 87 babies were delivered in the early hours of yesterday morning after which mothers were showered with gifts.

The MEC for Health in the Free State, Motseng Tsiu, urged all new mothers across the province to ensure that they breastfeed exclusively for the first six months of their baby's life.

"Breastmilk continues to be an important source of nutrients to children after six months, therefore there is no need to put a time limit on feeds. 

"Where breastfeeding is not practical, mothers are encouraged to express the breastmilk and feed per bottle because breast milk has major health benefits such as strengthening the baby's immune system. 

"It also creates a strong bond between the mother and the baby,” Tsiu said.

The Northern Cape MEC for Health, Maruping Lekwene, congratulated the mothers of newborn babies and encouraged them to take care of the little ones. 

Their preliminary statistics recorded across the public health facilities between 00h00 and 10h00 on New Year's Day indicated that a total of 25 newborn babies - 15 boys and six girls- were delivered.

OFM News