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By Akanji Alowolodu, Bauchi
As World Breastfeeding Week is celebrated globally from 1 to 7 August, the Development Communications Network (DevComs) has called on all stakeholders to create awareness on the benefits of exclusive breastfeeding to the child, mother, father and community to increase in the rate.
It explained that a conducive environment and support, including a child-friendly work environment, with a dedicated nursing room for nursing mothers, remains very important to make breastfeeding convenient and enjoyable.
According to DevComs, 2018 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (2018 NDHS) states that child mortality accounts for 52% of all under-five deaths while the child mortality rate is 69 deaths per 1,000 children surviving to age 12 months, while the overall under-five mortality rate is 132 deaths per 1,000 live births.
Also, 51 percent of all deaths among children under age five in Nigeria take place before a child’s first birthday, with 30% occurring during the first month of life just as poor infant feeding practices negatively affect the growth, health and development of children, and is a major cause of mortality in infants and young children.
The NDHS also states that only 29 percent of children are exclusively breastfed (EBF) from age zero to six months, leaving a deficit of 73 percent, being denied the right and by extension denied the right to survival.
Development Communications Network’s Program Director, Akin Jimoh, in a press release issued to Journalists in Bauchi asserted that, “as the world celebrates this important and auspicious day, it is paramount to note that breastfeeding, especially exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of infancy is important and has many advantages” .
The release further contained that, “It should be a shared responsibility at all levels. The government, the workplace, communities, families and all key stakeholders must make efforts to ensure needed structures and systems are in place to protect and support breastfeeding. This will aid the prevention of childhood illness and promote healthy growth and development.”.
DevComs stressed that, Breast milk is essential and has lots of benefits both to the mother and baby, it supplies all the necessary nutrients in the proper proportions. Breastfed babies have healthier weights as they grow, they score higher on IQ tests. Breast milk protects against allergies, sickness, infections and obesity and is easily digested.
Also, research has shown that Mothers who breastfeed have a reduced risk of Type 2 Diabetes and certain cancers such as breast cancer, they may find it easier to return to what they weighed before they got pregnant and it strengthens the bond with their children.
