Health professionals are calling on mothers in Nigeria to prioritize exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of their baby’s life, insisting that no cosmetic concern should outweigh the proven health and developmental benefits of breast milk. Experts argue that whether a mother breastfeeds or not, the breasts will eventually sag due to aging and other factors — a reality that should not overshadow the responsibility of nurturing a child.
They emphasized that immediately after childbirth, a mother’s foremost duty should be to initiate breastfeeding within the first hour. Finding a proper and comfortable sitting position for feeding is far more important at this stage than worrying about breast size or firmness.
Exclusive Breastfeeding: A Lifesaving Practice
Exclusive breastfeeding — giving a baby only breast milk for the first six months without any other liquids or solids, including water — has repeatedly been proven to provide unmatched benefits. According to findings from The Lancet Breastfeeding Series, improving breastfeeding practices in Nigeria could save around 100,000 lives annually. Moreover, boosting breastfeeding rates could add up to $150 million to the national economy.
Health experts view exclusive breastfeeding not only as a personal health decision but also as a national investment. “Breastfeeding improves health outcomes, boosts brain development, and enhances lifelong productivity,” they noted. Children who are breastfed exclusively tend to be more intelligent, better nourished, and less prone to infections like diarrhea and pneumonia.
Breastfeeding and Sagging: Clearing the Myths
One of the major reasons some mothers hesitate to breastfeed is the fear that it will cause their breasts to sag. However, experts insist that breastfeeding is not responsible for breast sagging, which can result from multiple factors such as aging, gravity, weight fluctuations, and genetics. They stressed that choosing breast aesthetics over a baby’s health undermines the true value of motherhood.
During this year’s World Breastfeeding Week — observed every first week of August — health professionals around the world are promoting the theme “Invest in breastfeeding, invest in the future”. This global initiative, led by WHO, UNICEF, and health ministries, aims to raise awareness about the economic and developmental benefits of breastfeeding.
Nigeria Still Lagging in Exclusive Breastfeeding Adoption
Despite the compelling benefits of breastfeeding, data from Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Health indicates that only 29% of babies under six months are exclusively breastfed. This low rate, experts warn, contributes significantly to the country’s alarming child malnutrition and stunting levels.
Nutrition specialist, Dr. Sylvester Igbedioh, emphasized the importance of early initiation, exclusive breastfeeding, and timely introduction of complementary foods. He urged mothers to avoid giving water or other liquids to babies under six months — even in hot weather — stressing that breast milk alone is sufficient to keep the child hydrated and nourished.
“Our breastfeeding statistics have remained stagnant for years,” Igbedioh lamented. “We must embrace change. Exclusive breastfeeding drives national development. Mothers should ensure immediate and uninterrupted skin-to-skin contact and early initiation after delivery.”
Call for Nutrition Education and Health Worker Support
Experts also identified gaps in public education and healthcare support as barriers to improving breastfeeding rates. Professor Chinyere Ezeaka, a consultant pediatrician at Lagos University Teaching Hospital, stressed the role of nutrition counselling for both mothers and healthcare workers.
She pointed out that many infants begin experiencing health problems like diarrhea and malnutrition due to a lack of exclusive breastfeeding from birth. According to her, while curative measures like treating malnutrition are important, preventive strategies such as proper nutrition education are even more critical.
“When nutrition is compromised — starting from conception to the first six months without exclusive breastfeeding — the child becomes vulnerable to a host of illnesses,” Ezeaka said. “We must focus on prevention, and that begins with education and commitment from both families and medical professionals.”
Final Thoughts: Breastfeeding is an Investment in the Future
In conclusion, experts reaffirmed that exclusive breastfeeding is one of the most cost-effective interventions to combat malnutrition and reduce under-five mortality. They urged mothers to stop placing aesthetics above their child’s survival and development, especially when evidence shows that breastfeeding neither causes breast sagging nor results in long-term physical deformities.
Health professionals, policymakers, and civil society organizations are encouraged to work together in creating enabling environments for breastfeeding — from hospitals and communities to workplaces and public spaces — ensuring that every Nigerian child has the best possible start in life.
