World breastfeeding week: Experts task mothers on exclusive breastfeeding

As the world marks 2017 breast feeding week, experts in the health sector are advocating for more exclusive breastfeeding from mothers, as investment of $4.70 per newborn could generate $300 billion in economic gains by 2025, World Health Organisation (WHO) analysis show.

The World Breastfeeding Week (WBW) is a global initiative that creates awareness of the importance of breastfeeding, improve the health of newborns and mend mythologies surrounding it.

“Exclusive breastfeeding reduces the risk of infections in babies and it is the first immunity for the child, which helps to fight against diarrhea, and pneumonia among others,’’ said Olubunmi Aiyedun, president national association of Nigeria Pediatric Nurses.

“Breast milk is adequate and ideal food for newborns and serves as first immunization.

“Breastfeeding plays a key role in newborns and child development, as a child that is exclusively breastfed will live a healthy life as well as achieve his full potential,” said Aiyedun.

According to the Global Breastfeeding Collective Scorecard, only 40 percent of children younger than six months are breastfed exclusively and only 23 countries have exclusive breastfeeding rates above 60 percent, out of 194 countries evaluated.

Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, director-general, WHO said Breastfeeding, gives babies the best possible start in life.

“Breastmilk works like a baby’s first vaccine, protecting infants from potentially deadly diseases and giving them all the nourishment they need to survive and thrive,” Ghebreyesus said.

“The scorecard was released at the start of World Breastfeeding Week alongside a new analysis demonstrating that an annual investment of only US$4.70 per newborn is required to increase the global rate of exclusive breastfeeding among children under six months to 50 per cent by 2025,” he added.

Larne Yusuf a medical practitioner based in Lagos said that the advocacy for exclusively breastfeeding has to be scaled up in Nigeria, stating that a lot of mothers struggle to breastfeed their children due to their jobs and some are shy because of the environments they find themselves.

“But the important thing a child needs that breast milk to grow, so we have to encourage mothers and support them to sustain breastfeeding for longer.

“Breast feeding is vital for the baby to grow and develop well; it supports the brain development of children ensuring they learn and grow into happy, healthy and productive adults.

“All babies need breast milk for the first six months of their life; awareness on exclusive breastfeeding should increase. Government should ensure that hospitals promote breastfeeding so as mothers will have the knowledge and confidence to breastfeed their children,” Yusuf added.

The theme for this year’s celebration is ‘Sustaining Exclusive Breastfeeding Together’ which will be observed globally from 1st to 7th of August.

Anthonia Obokoh