By Fatima Saka
The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare has called upon all citizens to endorse and encourage optimal breastfeeding practices among mothers as we come together to mark this week and provide unwavering support to all mothers in adhering to recommended breastfeeding guidelines.
Added that the citizens support plays a crucial role in promoting the nation’s health, economy, and future workforce.
The Ministry, in collaboration with its health partners and stakeholders, is set to join the international communities to observe the 2024 World Breastfeeding Week.
Slated to be held from 1st to 7th August, 2024.
The World Breastfeeding Week serves as an annual global initiative aimed at raising awareness about the health benefits of breastfeeding for infants, young children, mothers, families, and society as a whole.
The global theme for this year’s World Breastfeeding Week is ‘Closing the Gap, Breastfeeding Support for All’.
This theme underscores the shared responsibility of ensuring that every mother receives the necessary support to make breastfeeding a successful and rewarding experience.
In a statement communicated to the press through the Director of Press and Public Relations at the FMOH Patricia Deworitshe, it was emphasized that mothers require support from various sources such as the health system, family members, community, and workplace to effectively breastfeed their babies.
According to the statement, this support plays a pivotal role in the success of breastfeeding by facilitating knowledge sharing, encouragement, assistance with household tasks, flexible work arrangements, and the creation of a conducive environment for breastfeeding.
“It is crucial that no mother is left behind, especially those who are vulnerable and may require additional assistance to address breastfeeding disparities. Women in all circumstances deserve and need support to breastfeed their babies optimally.
“Therefore, the Ministry has dedicated the period from 1st to 7th August, 2024 to celebrate this week through a series of planned activities.
“The week will commence on the 1st of August with a landmark event involving the simultaneous breastfeeding of a record number of lactating women, followed by community outreach programs, health worker training, media campaigns, and other initiatives.
“The Ministry also advocates for early initiation of breastfeeding within the first hour of birth, exclusive breastfeeding for the initial six months of life, continued breastfeeding up to two years of age or beyond, along with the introduction of appropriate complementary foods starting at six months.
“The public is reminded of the numerous scientifically proven health advantages that breastfeeding offers to both babies and mothers, in addition to potential economic benefits for households and communities.
“Breastfed babies benefit from enhanced immunity, reduced susceptibility to infections, and protection against various childhood illnesses. Breast milk is the optimal nutrition for infants, being easily accessible, cost-effective, safe, hygienic, and providing primary defense against common childhood illnesses.
“Breast milk supplies all the necessary energy and nutrients for the child in the first six months of life, and continues to meet at least half of the child’s nutritional requirements in the latter half of the first year, and up to one-third in the second year of life.”
Undoubtedly, breastfeeding is a vital practice for both mothers and children, one that should be supported wholeheartedly by fathers, family members, and society at large.
