Despite a notable increase in exclusive breastfeeding rates over the past 12 years, 66% of Nigerian infants under six months are still not receiving this critical nourishment, according to a joint statement by UNICEF and WHO for World Breastfeeding Week.
This leaves many infants without the full benefits of early, exclusive breastfeeding.
In the last decade, Nigeria has seen a more than 10% rise in exclusive breastfeeding rates, now at 34%. This progress is vital, with breastfeeding known to reduce childhood illness and mortality.
UNICEF Nigeria’s Country Representative, Cristian Munduate,
emphasized the importance of breastfeeding, stating, “Breastfeeding is the foundation of lifelong health and well-being. It is a simple, cost-effective, and natural way to provide infants with the nutrients they need for healthy growth and development”, she said. “However, despite its proven benefits, exclusive breastfeeding rates in Nigeria remain low. Many mothers face cultural, social, and practical barriers that prevent them from breastfeeding exclusively for the first six months of their child’s life.”
Despite improvements, the rate falls short of the WHO’s 50% target for 2025.
This World Breastfeeding Week, under the theme “Closing the gap: Breastfeeding support for all,” UNICEF and WHO are emphasizing the need to improve breastfeeding support as a critical action for reducing health inequity and protecting the rights of mothers and babies to survive and thrive.
According to the statement, in Nigeria, key gaps in breastfeeding support include insufficient maternity leave, lack of workplace support, and inadequate access to breastfeeding education, especially in rural areas. Only seven states offer the recommended 24 weeks of paid maternity leave.
UNICEF is rallying support by attempting to set a world record with 30,000 mothers breastfeeding simultaneously on August 1, 2024, across Nigeria. This effort aims to highlight the importance of breastfeeding and challenge harmful nutrition practices.
To close the breastfeeding gap, stakeholders are urged to enhance policies, increase investments, and improve monitoring systems. Such actions will support better health outcomes and protect the rights of mothers and babies, ensuring that more infants benefit from the full advantages of breastfeeding.
“Developing and enforcing laws restricting the marketing of breast-milk substitutes, including digital marketing practices, with monitoring to routinely report the Code violations.”
