Stakeholders across board are coming up with various ideas on how the need and importance of infant breastfeeding can be amplified.
This is following concerns raised as part of the global celebration of the World Breastfeeding Week, The Union Nigeria reports.
The theme for this year’s World Breastfeeding Week, an annual celebration slated for August 1 to 7, is ‘Protect Breastfeeding: A Shared Responsibility’, implying that it is a responsibility for all.
Many Nigerians are advocating for exclusive breastfeeding while a minority are amplifying the effect of exclusive breastfeeding on women considering the ever increasing survival demands and surge in cost of living.
While the importance of breastfeeding cannot be overemphasized, some stakeholders have also lamented that it is been taken for granted by numerous mothers.
Medical experts have over time established that the benefits of breastfeeding are so numerous that most health agencies recommend it for everyone for as long as possible, barring medical problems that prevent it.
“Breast milk contains antibodies and other elements that protect your baby from illness and chronic disease. It’s the best start you can give, if you’re able. Plus, we can’t discount the big benefits to you, for health reasons and convenience.” Says Healthline, a foremost medical site.
Jefrey Njokwu, a Communication Specialist with the United Nations Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF), in a podcast, says the aim of this week is to draw attention to society support mother.
He stressed the need for men to get actively involved in ensuring proper breastfeeding of their children.
According to him, men should be more helpful at home, in order to reduce domestic work pressure on lactating mothers to avoid feeling too exhausted when it is feeding time.
Beatrice Ali, Chief Nutrition Officer, Federal Ministry of Health, stressed the need for particular spaces to be designed in office spaces for breast feeding purposes.
“We advise pregnant women to attend ante-natal care. Our exclusive breast feeding is only 29 percent in Nigeria, we must work towards increasing it. The federal government is already working towards increasing maternity leave from four months to six months.” She said.
