Breastfeeding mothers in Tiaty,Baringo county are yet to achieve exclusive breastfeeding owing to lack of children spacing and poverty as women are the bread winners in those families. During the the world breastfeeding week celebrated at Chepturu, Kolowa ward in Tiaty, many lactating mothers were already pregnant before six months after delivery affecting exclusive breastfeeding. According to Baringo county nutrition officer Ann Kimwa, she said that there is rise of malnutrition as children below the age of five are majorly affected as they were not exclusively breastfed. She noted that cultural beliefs where women are the breadwinners of the family affect mothers as they are left to fend for family needs as early as one month leaving the newborn babies in care of other children thus introducing cows milk mixed with herbal medicine affecting the development and immunity of their babies. Ann also noted that lack of family planning affects the spacing of children as lactating mothers become pregnant only three months after delivery.
Elizabeth Imbo, of Self Help Africa said as an organization, they have introduced new variety of cassava and sweet potatoes to improve nutrition level of families, as such crops withstand harsh climatic condition and rich in nutrients which will scale down stunted growth and malnutrition in areas of Baringo, Isiolo, Samburu and Turkana. Lack of exclusive breastfeeding has been cited as the contribution of poor development of children under five years which also affects the development of brain and immunity and in turn results to high cases of malaria affecting the children.