By John Dike, Osogbo
Healthcare professionals, nursing mothers, and women advocates on Wednesday stressed that six months of exclusive breastfeeding is a natural and critical foundation for a child’s health and development.
Their submission aligns with the recommendation of the World Health Organisation (WHO) and UNICEF, advocatimg exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life, followed by continued breastfeeding alongside appropriate complementary foods up to two years and beyond.
The stakeholders in child care emphasised their recommendation at a breastfeeding awareness campaign organized by Osun State Ministry of Information and Public Enlightenment, held in Osogbo, the state capital.
At the one-day seminar, nursing mothers, women advocates, and healthcare professionals collectively highlighted the importance of exclusive breastfeeding and its long-term benefits to both mother and child.
In his address, the Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Oluomo Kolapo Alimi, described breast milk as the perfect nutritional source for infants, saying it contains the ideal balance of proteins, fats, vitamins, and antibodies necessary for healthy growth and brain development.
He said, “Breastfeeding strengthens a baby’s immune system, making them more resistant to infections such as diarrhea, respiratory illnesses, and ear infections,” he said. “It also offers natural protection against many childhood diseases.”
Alimi further noted that breastfeeding fosters a strong emotional bond between mother and child, promoting a sense of security and well-being in the child’s formative months. He also emphasized that breastfeeding reduces the risk of chronic illnesses such as obesity, type 2 diabetes, asthma, and allergies.
The commissioner passionately appealed to men, urging them to support their wives during the breastfeeding period.
“Only an irresponsible man would abandon his wife during this critical phase. Men should always provide good food for their wives during this six months of breastfeeding”, Alimi stated.
The men should be their physically and emotionally support their wives throughout the six-month breastfeeding journey, he counselled.
He also outlined the maternal health benefits, explaining that breastfeeding helps reduce the risk of postpartum hemorrhage, promotes faster uterine recovery, and lowers the risk of breast and ovarian cancers. Additionally, it contributes to natural child spacing.
Other speakers at the event highlighted the economic and environmental benefits of breastfeeding. They noted that breast milk is always available, requires no preparation, and eliminates the cost of formula, bottles, and sterilization — making it a cost-effective and eco-friendly option for families.
Also speaking, the Commissioner for Economic Planning, Budget and Development, Professor Maruf Adeleke, stated that the Osun State Government under Governor Ademola Adeleke has taken the lead in promoting breastfeeding awareness across the state, supporting policies and programmes that empower mothers and protect child health.
Contributing to the discussion, Alhaja Sadiat Oladapo, Amirah, Federation of Muslim Women Association of Nigeria FOWAN, and Mrs. Modupe Williams, representatives of the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN urged women to embrace breastfeeding, and support their husbands through mutual cooperation during the period.
They collectively encouraged mothers to strictly follow the WHO recommendation, stressing that:
“A well-breastfed child is a healthy child”.
