United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Enugu Field Office has called on government at all levels and other stakeholders to build lasting systems that will support mothers to breast feed successfully at home, workplace and communities.
Juliet Chiluwe, chief of UNICEF Field Office Enugu, made the call during a meeting organised in collaboration with Broadcasting Corporation of Abia State (BCA) with the theme, ‘Prioritise Breastfeeding: Create Sustainable Support Systems.’
Chiluwe said that world breastfeeding week was a vital opportunity to highlight breastfeeding as a cornerstone of child survival, growth and healthy development, pointing out that the theme for 2025 underscores the urgent need to build lasting systems that will support mothers to breastfeed successfully at home, in healthcare settings and communities.
She emphasized that a new born child should be introduced to the breast within the first hour of birth (early initiation) of breastfeeding, exclusive breastfeeding for six months without water or any other fluid or food. However, she said that after the six months, the child will be introduced to safe, nutritious complementary foods while continuing to breastfeed for up to at least 24 months.
She said: “Over 90 percent of Nigerian women have ever breastfed their babies. 10 states, Lagos, Kwara, Ekiti, Oyo, Cross River, Kaduna, Niger, Ondo, Enugu, Plateau have extended paid maternity leave for up to six months for public workers.” She expressed sadness that only 1 out of 3 babies is given breastmilk in the first hour after birth which is 36 percent and that only 1in 3 babies is exclusively breastfeed for up to six months.
“Rate has declined for early initiation of breastfeeding from 24 percent in 2018 to 36 percent in 2023 (NDHS). Exclusive breastfeeding rate has remained stagnant at 29 percent in 2018 and in 2023(NDHS). While breastfeeding should ideally continue to at least 24 months as recommended by UNICEF and WHO, many Nigerian babies are weaned too early (NDHS). ”
According to the Chief of UNICEF Enugu Field Office, healthcare workers play a vital role in supporting breastfeeding, but many lack the tools, time and training to provide adequate care, pointing out that 26 out of 36 states in Nigeria have not created enabling environment which includes paid maternity leave, breastfeeding breaks, and workplace facilities for effective breastfeeding, therefore, undermining mothers’ ability to sustain breastfeeding practice.
She emphasized that most workplaces, both in formal and informal sectors, lack policies and facilities favourable for effective breastfeeding.
UNICEF also advocated that governments and employers should understand that breastfeeding improves maternal health and reduces healthcare costs, and should therefore, integrate breastfeeding promotion into national health policies, maternal and child health programme, and insurance schemes.
It also said that policy makers must put in place key practices and outcomes to strengthen breastfeeding, monitor and enforce the implementation of policies that protect breastfeeding such as code of marketing of breastmilk substitutes.
Ijeoma Onuoha Ogwe, communication officer UNICEF Enugu Office, who introduced the objective of the meeting as to let the media understand more of the value of breastfeeding and sensitise the importance of disseminating information about exclusive breastfeeding as a life saver for a new born child.
Ogwe said that exclusive breastfeeding supports brain development, development of the digestive system, emotional bonding, helps children grow into healthier adults, provides household help and peer encouragement for breastfeeding mothers, describing breastfeeding as environmental-friendly.
Francis Nwubani, director general BCA Umuahi, earlier in his opening remark, said that the one-week world breastfeeding programme was a time to recorganise breastfeeding worldwide as a powerful foundation for livelong health, development and equity.
“World Breastfeeding Week shines a particular spotlight on the ongoing support women and babies need from the healthcare system through their breastfeeding journey,” he said.
Nwubani urged the media to ensure that adequate information is passed to the nursing mothers and commended the media from 12 states that participated.
