UNICEF Wants Stakeholders to Champion Campaigns for Exclusive Breastfeeding
As part of activities to mark the 2024 World Breastfeeding Week, over 1,000 women breastfed their babies simultaneously in Nasarawa State.
Speaking at the event in commemoration of the day in Lafia, the Chief of Field Office of United Nations Children Fund, UNICEF Kaduna, Gerida Birukila, said that the initiative was aimed at achieving the world record for the highest number of lactating women breastfeeding simultaneously in Nigeria to send a strong message to the world about the importance of exclusive breastfeeding.
According to Birukila, exclusive breastfeeding remains the cardinal foundation of lifelong health and well-being of the child.
“It is a simple, cost-effective, and natural way to provide infants with the nutrients they need for healthy growth and development.
“However, despite its proven benefits, exclusive breastfeeding rates remain low at 42% according to the Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICs 2021) done by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS),” she said .
She stressed the need for stakeholders, including traditional institutions to intensify efforts towards eliminating cultural and social impediments most mothers face which have prevented them from breastfeeding exclusively for the first six months of their child’s life.
“Today’s event aims to break down those barriers. By coming together, we are challenging harmful norms and practices, such as the introduction of water and other feeds in the first six months.
“We are here to dismantle the stigma surrounding breastfeeding and to empower mothers with the knowledge and support they need to make the best choices for their children’s health including the approval of 6 months of paid extended Maternity leave,” She said.
The Chief of Field Office, commended the wife of the Nasarawa State Governor, Hajiya Silifat Sule, and other critical stakeholders for their consistency in taking the lead for the campaigns for exclusive breastfeeding and child nutrition in the state.
She added that UNICEF was commitment to continuous support to the Nasarawa state government to enhance better child health and nutrition.
Nasarawa State Commissioner for Health Dr Gaza Gwamna represented by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Dr John Damina remarked that the benefit of exclusive breastfeeding at least for the first six months of a child’s life was enormous including economic stability and healthy growth.
“Exclusive breastfeeding is crucial to the growth and mental development of every child. It’s important that culture without introducing any other feed for the stipulated period of six months.
Some of the mothers, Mrs Charity Edeh and Asmau Agabi, noted that they breastfed their babies exclusively for the first six months which according to them made their children strong and never encountered frequent sicknesses.
