Daily Trust

Observing World Breastfeed­ing Week in Nigeria amid Hunger Protest

The first day of the ten-day hunger protest (August 1) coincided with the first day of World Breastfeed­ing Week (WBW). The first week of August (1-7) is supported by the World Health Organizati­on (WHO), United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), and ministries of health, including Nigeria’s, and civil society organisati­ons as WBW.

This initiative encourages breastfeed­ing and aims to improve the health of babies around the world. This year’s event, themed “Closing the Gap: Breastfeed­ing Support for All,” is a campaign that celebrates breastfeed­ing mothers in all their diversity, throughout their breastfeed­ing journeys.

It showcases the ways families, societies, communitie­s, and health workers can support every breastfeed­ing woman. Unfortunat­ely, in Nigeria, this important occasion to celebrate and support our mothers, sisters, and friends in raising healthy babies has been overshadow­ed by the ongoing protest.

At the same time, UNICEF has scored Nigeria low in this regard, lamenting that a whopping 76 per cent of babies between 0-6 months are denied exclusive breastfeed­ing. Although the exclusive breastfeed­ing rate in Nigeria rose to 52 per cent in 2017, it dropped to 38.9 per cent in 2021 due to a decline in the sustenance of the “Hospital Exclusive Breastfeed­ing Initiative” introduced to fast-track the rate.

The federal government says it is working in collaborat­ion with developmen­t partners to achieve a 50 per cent rate by 2030. As the government supports breastfeed­ing initiative­s, it is a reminder that breast milk is the gold standard for infant nutrition. It is safe, clean, and contains immunity-boosting antibodies that shield babies from illnesses.

Breastfeed­ing is a crucial element in achieving the United Nations’ Sustainabl­e Developmen­t Goals (SDGs) by 2030. In spite of the economic situation, let us all take a moment to appreciate and support all nursing mothers.

By upholding the theme “Closing the Gap: Breastfeed­ing Support for All” of the 2024 World Breastfeed­ing Week, we recognise that nursing mothers are not only giving babies the best possible start in life, but they are also playing a vital role in building a healthier, more sustainabl­e future for all. Remember, breastfeed­ing is made easier when mothers have our support.