World Breastfeeding Week: Professionals harp on exclusive breastfeeding immediately after delivery

TO improve the intelligence quotient of a child as well as other health benefits, the Head Nurse of Alimosho General Hospital, Igando, Lagos, Mrs Bose Osisanmi, advises mothers to breastfeed their babies immediately after giving birth.

Osisanmi gave the advice at a ceremony organised by the facility to commemorate the 2019 World Breastfeeding Week (WBW) on Wednesday in Lagos.

WBW is celebrated every year from Aug. 1 to Aug. 7, to encourage breastfeeding and improve the health of babies around the world.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the theme for 2019 is: “Empower Parents, Enable Breastfeeding.’’

Osisanmi said: “Breast milk certainly improves the intelligence quotient of a child as he advances in age.

“Therefore, immediately after delivery, mothers must breastfeed their children; this is what you owe the child as well as the nation.

“Therefore, for effective breastfeeding, everyone has to be involved, beginning with the husband to grandparents.

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“When all hands are on deck, the mother’s attitude toward breastfeeding the child will change and milk production will be undistorted and bonding will take place.’’

The expert explained that the size of a woman’s breast could not determine the amount of milk to produce.

“Breastfeeding is not about breast size, but the ability to produce milk that will be satisfying for the baby at all times’’.

The head nurse urged mothers to pull their nipples out and ensure it protruded before commencing breastfeeding.

“For effective breastfeeding and milk supplies, nipples need to protrude and pulled earlier before breastfeeding, for adequate milk supply and pronounced production.’’

She advised mothers to assess their babies after every feeding to know if they had sufficient milk and were satisfied.

The nurse also urged mothers to serve their babies a piece of the breast for 30 minutes without disruption before moving the child onto the other breast.

She added that an aggregate of an hour should be used exclusively for a child’s feeding to allow him to reach the hindmilk, which according to her, is nutritious and satisfying for growth.

Osisanmi, therefore, urged mothers to feed well and drink sufficient water for proper lactation.

In her address, the Head, Dietetic and Nutrition Department, Mrs Romoke Sowoolu-Coates, called for support for breastfeeding mothers.

“Initiating breastfeeding early starts with a psychological balance of mothers, and this should be assisted by stakeholders toward adequate milk production.

“For effectiveness, there must be a relaxed environment.

“Stakeholders such as grandparents, husbands as well as siblings must give moral support to the mother to prepare her for the wholesome job.

“A nursing mother needs to be well-fed with balanced meals to enhance her milk production,’’ she said.

Sowoolu-Coates also said babies should be exclusively breastfed for six months without water nor supplements.

She said children who were up to six months should be introduced also to supplementary food alongside breastfeeding till they turned two years.

She advised mothers to always report every obstacle encountered during the process to their healthcare professionals for effective management and treatment.

NAN reports that the nurses carried out a sensitisation walk around the facility and also presented gift items to mothers who were in attendance.