Jumoke Olasunkanmi
As the World marks the 2023 World Breastfeeding Week celebrated globally from the 1st to the 7th of August, the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) has reemphasised the need for 6 months exclusive breastfeeding of babies from birth to enable them partake in its vital health and nutritional benefits.
In a press statement issued by the agency on Thursday, it stated that “breastfeeding provides vital health and nutritional benefits for children with positive lifelong impacts, building healthier populations – and workforces – for the future”.
The Pediatric Association of Nigeria (PAN), United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), and World Health Organisation (WHO) recommend exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months for every child, citing health benefits to both mother and child, as well as promoting brain development and heightened immunity.
“It is imperative to highlight the significance of breastfeeding for the health and well-being of children, mothers, and society at large. Breastmilk is the first vaccine and the first food that every child receives at birth. Breastfeeding stands as a crucial pillar in safeguarding infants against life-threatening infections, supporting optimal brain development in children, and reducing the incidence of chronic childhood and maternal illnesses, ultimately lowering healthcare costs,” a UNICEF report explained.
Similarly, Christian Munduate, the representative of UNICEF Nigeria, noted that improved breastfeeding practices in Nigeria could save over 100,000 children and $22 million in health care annually.
In a statement to commemorate the week, Munduate acknowledged that while Nigeria seems to have made significant progress in the past 20 years to increase the rate of exclusive breastfeeding, only 34% of children aged 0-6 months are exclusively breastfed, which is a far cry from the 70% target of the World Health Assembly 2030 goal.
He added that to achieve this goal, government and businesses need to support mothers and caregivers through policies that encourage breastfeeding like six months paid maternity leave, paid paternity leave, flexible return-to-work options, regular action breaks, and facilities that enable mothers to exclusively breastfeed their children for six months.
“Investing in breastfeeding support policies and programs in all settings, especially during crises and in food-insecure regions, is crucial to ensure the well-being of our children and the progress of our society. Let us collectively work towards a future where breastfeeding is supported and embraced by all, resulting in healthier generations and a thriving Nigerian workforce,” he said.
