The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF ) says that only one out of every three babies is exclusively breastfed for up to six months in Nigeria.
UNICEF’s Chief of Enugu Field Office, Mrs Juliet Chiluwe said this while addressing newsmen in a virtual meeting in Owerri, on Thursday, as part of activities marking the World Breastfeeding Week.
Our correspondent reports that the World Breastfeeding Week is observed every August 1 to 7.
The theme for year 2025 is: “ Prioritise Breastfeeding: Create Sustainable Support Systems “.
Chiluwe described breastfeeding as “ a cornerstone of child survival, growth, and healthy development” and said that the year’s theme underscores the urgent need to build lasting systems that support mothers to breastfeed.
She however expressed satisfaction that over 90 per cent of Nigerian women have ever breastfed their babies.
She also commended the 10 states of Lagos, Kwara, Ekiti, Oyo, Cross River, Kaduna, Niger, Ondo, Enugu and Plateau for extending paid maternity leave for up to six months for public workers.
According to her, the extension will serve as an incentive for improved and efficient breastfeeding as it is expected to reduce the pressure on lactating mothers to return to work.
“ Breast milk is all a baby needs for the first six months; no substitutes compare.
“ Mothers need time, support, and protection from families, workplaces, communities, and the government”, she said.
She called for the establishment of breastfeeding corners in workplaces to give mothers a dignified and convenient space to breastfeed, adding that working mothers can successfully breastfeed with the right support.
Also speaking, UNICEF’s Social Behavioral Change Specialist, Enugu field office, Dr Hillary Ozor, called on all stakeholders for action on agenda setting for breastfeeding.
“ We should set the agenda and the media can lead the call for action on breastfeeding.
“ A clear sign of love for my child is to exclusively breastfeed my child “, he said.