Nigerian mothers rank poorly in exclusive breastfeeding practices, with a recent report by UNICEF and the World Health Organisation revealing that over 70 per cent of infants in the country are not exclusively breastfed for the first six months of life. This has significant health and developmental consequences for infants, and both federal and state governments must take decisive actions to promote exclusive breastfeeding nationwide.
Research from the Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care shows that breastfeeding provides complete nutrition for the first six months and contributes to lifelong health benefits for both mothers and babies. Breastfeeding supports a baby’s immune system, reduces the risk of illness, and protects mothers from breast and ovarian cancer. For those unable to breastfeed directly, expressed or donor breast milk can still provide a strong nutritional foundation.
Despite these benefits, breastfeeding can be challenging, particularly for working mothers who juggle early mornings, jobs, and school runs. A supportive environment, including policies from state governments, is crucial for helping mothers successfully breastfeed. Health experts caution that when mothers do not regularly expel milk, they face painful conditions and increased risks of diseases like ovarian cancer. Public breastfeeding should be normalized, and society should encourage mothers to feel comfortable breastfeeding wherever necessary.
The theme of this year’s International Breastfeeding Week, “Step Up for Breastfeeding,” emphasizes the need for countries like Nigeria to allocate more resources toward supporting breastfeeding, especially for families in vulnerable or conflict-affected areas.
The Nigerian government must reinstate breastfeeding awareness campaigns and invest in public education on its importance. Globally, only four out of 10 infants are exclusively breastfed for the first six months, according to UNICEF. Countries like Rwanda (86.9 per cent), Burundi (82.3 per cent), and Sri Lanka (82 per cent) lead in this area, but Nigeria lags significantly at just 23 per cent, as reported by the International Breastfeeding Journal. In Katsina State, the rate is a dismal 21.3 per cent. This poor performance has serious implications, as suboptimal breastfeeding is responsible for 96 per cent of deaths among children under 12 months in developing countries.
Early initiation of breastfeeding and exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months are critical for infant survival, reducing risks of diseases like diarrhoea and pneumonia, according to research from PubMed Central. Despite progress in reducing infant mortality in recent years, Nigeria’s infant mortality rate remains high at 56,220 deaths per 1,000 live births, a figure the Ministry of Health acknowledges is still unacceptable.
Exclusive breastfeeding plays a crucial role in improving infant survival rates, as studies have shown that factors such as maternal literacy, breastfeeding initiation time, and exclusive breastfeeding are key predictors of a child’s survival.
To address these issues, the Nigerian government must prioritize exclusive breastfeeding for infants up to six months. Afterward, parents can introduce solid foods while continuing breastfeeding until the child reaches 12 months or beyond. Public education campaigns are particularly vital in rural areas where the majority of Nigerians live.
In conflict and emergency situations, breastfeeding becomes even more crucial. WHO emphasizes that breastfeeding ensures a safe, nutritious, and accessible food source for infants, even in crisis zones such as Afghanistan, Yemen, Ukraine, and the Sahel. Nigeria, grappling with terrorism and banditry, should ensure strong breastfeeding support for displaced mothers in refugee camps.
All stakeholders in Nigeria’s health sector must collaborate to create a more supportive environment for breastfeeding mothers. Companies, religious organizations, and local governments should establish breastfeeding-friendly spaces, such as crèches and breastfeeding centres, near markets, malls, and business districts. UNICEF also advocates for paid parental leave and breastfeeding breaks in both the public and private sectors. Globally, only 12 per cent of countries provide adequate paid maternity leave, and while Nigerian law mandates 12 weeks of paid leave, many employers take advantage of loopholes to pay only half salaries during this period. UNICEF encourages governments to strive for nine months of combined paid leave, with countries like the Czech Republic (28 weeks), Hungary (24 weeks), and Italy (20 weeks) leading in paid maternity leave provisions.
Breastfeeding offers long-term benefits not only to children but to the nation as well. Studies show that exclusively breastfed children grow up to be smarter, more organized, and more productive adults. In essence, breastfeeding protects the country’s future human capital.
Nigeria must revive its national breastfeeding campaign. Supported by federal grants, international alliances, and foreign aid, states and local governments should aggressively pursue programs that encourage and support exclusive breastfeeding among Nigerian mothers.
