The United Nations and the Ministry of Women Affairs have agreed and said that exclusive breastfeeding to infant babies remained a smart investment any nation can bequeath its society for the good health of its population.
Representative of the UNICEF, Chizoba Steve-Edemba and the Minister of Women Affairs, Pauline Tallen said that exclusive breastfeeding remained one of the smarter national investments that would promote the health of Nigerians especially the children for a healthy nation.
They said this separately in Abuja when the minister of women affairs played host to the first babies of the year from 2012 – 2021.
She dismissed the myth held by cultural practices that hampered exclusive breastfeeding to Nigerian children insisting that scientific realities which conform to contemporary demands make exclusive breastfeeding compulsory for any caring mother and society.
Tallen said: “It provides the much-needed opportunity to remind stakeholders at all levels to redouble their efforts in promoting exclusive breastfeeding which is one of the smarter investments a country can make.
“It is sad to note that despite the benefits of breastfeeding for the first six months of life, the practice remains low in Nigeria. I am aware that the myths about breastfeeding persist in some communities where the colostrum; the first milk produced by the mother is considered unclean and hence expressed and thrown away.
“Some families mistakenly believe that additional water for infants is necessary for life, quenches thirsty, relieves pain, prevents colds, and or soothes the infant. These practices are inimical to the health and total well-being of the Child.
“Exclusive breastfeeding during the first six months of life is one of the cost-effective interventions for preventing child deaths, with great impact on the health of women and children and contributes to child brain development, increased intelligence, and lifelong productivity.
Annually the world celebrates exclusive breastfeeding between the 1st of July to the 7th day of July in view to raise further awareness of the importance of exclusive breastfeeding to the infant.
Tallen said the event “will enable us to take stock of the outcomes of what we have done over the years since the introduction of the First Baby of the Year reception initiated by the Ministry and hosted by the First Lady from 2012 till date.
In her submission, the UNICEF Representative, Chizoba Steve-Edemba said “The best legacy Nigeria and indeed FCT can leave for a better country tomorrow is to invest in interventions that protect, promote and support breastfeeding.”
She argued that it was critical to support 45% of the labour force in the country that has this responsibility for the children of the nation.
She said the Nigerian government and her people should “invest in and scale the exclusive breastfeeding campaign on ‘Zero Water’ launched by the government in 2019 and implement innovative communications strategies targeted at our cultural custodians such as religious leaders end grandmothers to make the exclusive breastfeeding a normal experience for mother and child.
According to her “This is essential if we want to create a new normal for breastfeeding such that, not just 30% but 80-90% of children can benefit from this super special gift of breastmilk in the first 6 months of life.”
YOU SHOULD NOT MISS THESE HEADLINES FROM NIGERIAN TRIBUNE
Buhari Urges MTN For Quality Service, Downward Price Review In Cost Of Data, Other Services
President Muhammadu Buhari Friday at State House Abuja urged the MTN Group to make the available top-of-the-range service to its Nigerian subscribers… Exclusive breastfeeding a smart national investment ; Exclusive breastfeeding a smart national investment ; Exclusive breastfeeding a smart national investment ; Exclusive breastfeeding a smart national investment.
and then