Nigeria: Only 3 in 10 Nigerian Babies Receive Exclusive Breastmilk, Unicef
[Vanguard] ... Calls on employers, health workers, families to support mothers
The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) has urged stronger support from employers, healthcare workers, and families to boost breastfeeding practices in Nigeria. The organization's warning comes as the 2023-24 National Demographic and Health Survey revealed that while over 90% of Nigerian mothers breastfeed, only a small proportion of infants receive breastmilk in line with global guidelines.
According to the survey, early breastfeeding initiation has declined from 42% in 2018 to 36% in 2023, and exclusive breastfeeding rates have remained stagnant at 29%. Only 3 in 10 Nigerian babies receive exclusive breastmilk for the first six months of life. UNICEF's Chief of Field Office in Lagos, Celine Lafoucriere, emphasized that breastfeeding is a baby's first vaccine, protecting against sickness, building a stronger brain, and providing the best start in life for children.
She stressed that improving breastfeeding rates requires the involvement of families, workplaces, health facilities, and communities, with employers providing breastfeeding breaks and private spaces for nursing mothers, healthcare workers ensuring babies are put to the breast within the first hour of birth, and family members supporting mothers without second-guessing their decisions.
Written by urgent.news from AllAfrica Health's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
