Breastfeeding mothers in Kwara state have been warned to avoid giving their babies , holy water or herbal mixture drinks in the first six months in the life of their babies.
Speaking at the event commemorating world breastfeeding week in Ilorin, the state commissioner for Health, Dr. Amina El-Imam, said exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months, followed by continued breastfeeding up to two years is proven to foster healthy development physically, and intellectually.
According to her Breastfeeding remains one of the most effective ways to ensure infant health and survival.
Dr. El-Imam explained that Breast milk provides the perfect mix of nutrients, strengthens babies
immune systems, reduces the risk of infection, and lays the foundation for lifelong well-being of babies.
She said data across Nigeria indicates that only a portion of infants get the full benefit of exclusive breastfeeding ,adding that there is the need to intensify efforts to meet national and global targets for improved rates.
“According to the 2023 National
Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS) only 36% of newborns in Nigeria are breastfed within the first hour of birth, and just 29% of infants are exclusively breastfed for the first six months of life. These figures are a clear reminder of the need for intensified awareness, stronger community engagement, and collaborative actions from all stakeholders.she said.
The commissioner, noted that many mothers still face challenges, such as lack of awareness, misinformation, social pressures, as well as workplace constraints .
For her part of the Nutrition Specialist, UNICEF, Kaduna Field Office, Chinwe Ezeife, lamented that while breastfeeding should ideally continue to at least 24 months, as recommended by UNICEF and WHO, many Nigerian babies are weaned too early. (NDHS).
She maintained that rates for early initiation of breastfeeding have declined from 42 per cent in 2018 to 36 per cent in 2023 (NDHS). Exclusive breastfeeding rates have remained stagnant at 29 per cent in 2018 and in 2023 (NDHS).
Cov/Ali Muhammad Rabi’u.
