As Nigeria joins the global community in commemorating the 2023 World Breastfeeding Week, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has stated that the lack of exclusive breastfeeding causes illness, learning difficulties, and late developmental attainment in children.
Speaking in Maiduguri on Monday, the UNICEF’s Chief of Field Office in North-East Nigeria, Phuong T. Nguyen, emphasized that immediate breastfeeding within the first hour of birth and exclusive breastfeeding for six months is a nutritional magic bullet that protects newborns from opportunistic infections and helps to build their fragile immunity.
She noted that more than 97 per cent of children in Borno State and 61 per cent in Yobe State are breastfed, but the benefits are affected by late initiation of breastfeeding and non-exclusive breastfeeding for six months.
“In Borno State, only 53 per cent enjoy early initiation of breastfeeding, that is latching within the first hour of birth, while only 46 per cent of children in Yobe State have the head start that early initiation of breastfeeding provides.”
“In Borno State, over 58 per cent of newborns are not exclusively breastfed for six months, while over 75 per cent of children in Yobe State do not have the advantage of exclusive breastfeeding for six months.”
She explained that children in North-East Nigeria face daunting nutrition challenges from conception to adulthood, making them some of the most disadvantaged children in the world.
These challenges could lead to serious and permanent deficits in their developmental attainment.
“As I speak, too many newborns are missing out on the advantages of early initiation and exclusive breastfeeding in their first six months of life.
This is unacceptable. Early initiation and exclusive breastfeeding with zero water for six months are child protection measures which contribute greatly to their wellbeing and set them up for higher achievements in life.”
“We must, therefore, improve sensitization and enlightenment on the benefits of early initiation of breastfeeding and exclusive breastfeeding in communities and health facilities.”
“We must initiate policies that support women, especially displaced mothers, to sustain exclusive breastfeeding for up to six months.”
“We must work with influential personalities, including religious and traditional leaders, men, and women groups, to promote the benefits of early initiation of breastfeeding and exclusive breastfeeding.”
“Health workers must be trained and retrained to support new mothers, while family and community structures must also support new mothers to imbibe best practices of exclusive breastfeeding.”
UNICEF has been working with governments across northeast Nigeria to protect the well-being of children.
The organisation called on the governments in Born and Yobe states to review the maternity protection policy and adopt extended six months of paid maternity leave to working mothers and provide baby creches in all offices to ensure that working mothers in the government and private sectors breastfeed their infants for six months.
“UNICEF will continue to advocate for the wellbeing of newborns and boys and girls affected by conflict in Nigeria. We invite you, gentlemen of the press, to join us in this noble campaign.”
YOU SHOULD NOT MISS THESE HEADLINES FROM NIGERIAN TRIBUNE
Tinubu’s ministerial list: Disqualify Stella Okotete now, lawyer writes Senate
Abuja-based human rights lawyer, Oladotun Hassan, has asked Nigerian Senate to disqualify one of the ministerial nominees, Stella Okotete, over…
Nigerians have berated Aliko Dangote for his plans to hire 11,000 Indians at his new refinery rather than provide those jobs to…
Tinubu’s ministerial nominees’ profiles: Politicians, technocrats, party loyalists
Before the end of the 60 days deadline after the inauguration of President Bola Tinubu’s administration, he submitted a 28-man ministerial nomination list to…
#BBNaijaAllStars: Housemates win season’s first wager presentation
The highly anticipated eighth season of Big Brother Naija Allstars kicked off on Sunday, July 23rd, and the housemates wasted no time in…
Increased federal allocations and public welfare
AMID the growing misery of the vast majority of Nigerians following the removal of subsidy on Premium Motor Spirit and…
[PHOTOS] Shirt removal: ‘My dad not happy with my choice of celebration’, Asisat Oshoala reveals
Super Falcons forward, Asisat Oshoala, has disclosed that her choice of celebration after netting Nigeria’s third goal against…
DEATH does have its unmistakeable sting. How else can we explain the inevitable shock even…
Today, we gather to mourn and celebrate the homegoing of Pa Ayo Adebanjo. I say…
Dr. Tunji Alausa is at it again. He has brought to mind the notorious fact…
For our every-last-Saturday-of-the-month “Diaspora Dialogues” podcast on April 26 on the topic “Kyari Out, Ojulari…
•The fun, lighter side of Chief Ayo Adebanjo, my father (beyond in-law) This day—when we…
THE story published by online medium, SaharaReporters, titled “Indian company where Nigerians are paid 20k…
This website uses cookies.