World Breastfeeding Day: Bauchi First Lady urges support for pregnant, breastfeeding, lactating mothers

Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

A cross section of women at the celebration

By Akanji Alowolodu, Bauchi

Husbands in Bauchi state have been called upon to as a matter of necessity, unconditionally support their nursing and lactating wives in order to be able to exclusively breastfeed their new born babies for the first 1000 days of life for healthy brain growth and development.

The call was made by the Bauchi State First Lady, Hajiya Aisha Bala Mohammed over the weekend at the commencement of the 2024 World Breastfeeding Week, with the theme “Closing the Gap; Breastfeeding Support For All.”

The First Lady who was represented by the State Commissioner of Health, Dr Adamu Umar Sambo said that studies have shown that exclusive breastfeeding improves the health of the mother and child.

She emphasized the need for husbands, grand mothers and in-laws to support pregnant women to attend antenatal care, deliver in the healthcare facility and ensure full immunization for the babies.

The Governor’s Wife then assured that her Office will continue to promote family health by ensuring that women and children Under 5 years got the best of medical and social care required which she said will build a healthy society.

In his remarks, Executive Chairman, Bauchi State Primary Healthcare Board, Dr Rilwanu Mohammed called on parents to avoid harmful socio-cultural practices and embrace early immunization, six months exclusive breastfeeding and continuous feeding to twenty four months.

Rilwanu Mohammed appreciated Alive and Thrive Fhi360, funded by Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, USAID Advancing Nutrition, UNICEF, WHO and other implementing partners for their support to the state government in actualising the inauguration of this year’s World Breastfeeding Week.

In a goodwill message, the State Coordinator, Alive and Thrive Fhi360, Mr. Chidi Asimobi emphasized that breast milk was a precious natural gift that provide nutritious food for the baby, boost their immunity, while exclusive breastfeeding foster a strong bond between the mother and child.

He stressed that, in Nigeria, where people are facing challenges like malnutrition and infant mortality, breastfeeding should be used as a game-changer.

He also urged all stakeholders to mark the beginning of World Breastfeeding Week which is a global celebration that highlights the importance of breastfeeding for mothers, babies, and the community.

He stated that it should be known that
Breast milk is a precious gift that provides optimal nutrition, boosts immunity, and fosters a strong bond between mother and child.

Asimobi Chidiebere further stated that, “As we observe the week, let everyone support breastfeeding mothers in their families, workplaces, and communities as well as encourage hospitals and healthcare facilities to adopt baby-friendly practices.”

They should also, “Promote awareness about the benefits of exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months,
Work together to create a society that values and enables breastfeeding and
Ensure Bauchi State Adopts 6 Months Maternity leave for working mothers.”

He then asked all stakeholders to join hands to make Bauchi State a breastfeeding-friendly haven saying, “Together, we can give our children the best possible start in life.”

Asimobi Chidiebere added that the Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS 2021) rates Bauchi state at 26.4% in exclusive breastfeeding practice, expressing optimism that in subsequent surveys, the state would surpass the national target,

In her remarks, the Nutrition Specialist, UNICEF, Bauchi Field Office, Mrs. Philomena Irene advocated for fully paid six months maternity leave for nursing mothers and two months paid paternity leave for the husbands to support their wives to exclusively breastfeed their newborn.

Also, Dr Yarima Kucici who spoke on behalf of the State Coordinator, World Health Organisation (WHO), stressed the importance of exclusive breastfeeding especially in the first 1000 days of life.

He too supported the advocacy for fully paid Six months of maternity leave for nursing mothers while the fathers should be paid Two months paternity leave as an encouragement to stand by the wives during the period.

Some of the nursing mothers who spoke testified that their husbands consistently provided them with nutritious food items, that aid in the production of enough breast milk for their babies.

UNICEF Nigeria had on the 1st August, supported 30,000 mothers across the 36 states of the country and the FCT who breaks world record by simultaneously breastfeeding their babies while all of the mothers who attended the event were given packs of diapers.

The Theme for the 2024 edition of the WBW is: ‘Closing the Gap, Breastfeeding Support for All’ which is an event where Nigeria broke the world Record of Mother breastfeeding together across all 36 state and FCT.