Nigeria: The Essence of Exclusive Breastfeeding
[This Day] Nigerian mothers should be supported to breastfeed their children
The 2026 World Breastfeeding Week (WBW) celebration in Nigeria began last Saturday, with the theme "Breastfeeding for a Sustainable Start in Life: Strengthen What Works." However, UNICEF has expressed concern over the low rate of exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) in Nigeria. Dr. Hilary Ozoh, Officer-in-Charge of UNICEF Field Office, Enugu, pointed out that misinformation, harmful social norms, inadequate workplace support, and inconsistent public messaging continue to hinder EBF practices despite overwhelming evidence supporting breastfeeding.
EBF rates in Nigeria are estimated at just 29%, below the recommended minimum of 60% by UNICEF and the World Health Organisation (WHO). Nigerian mothers face numerous barriers to breastfeeding, with cultural, social, and practical challenges preventing them from breastfeeding exclusively for the first six months. The Nigerian Labour Law Act provides 12 weeks of paid maternity leave, but many workplaces fail to provide this benefit, leaving rural communities with additional cultural, social, and practical barriers.
The Nutrition Society of Nigeria (NSN) has called for a six-month paid maternity leave for working mothers and workplace breastfeeding policies in all 36 states. However, less than ten percent of organisations in Nigeria have a workplace breastfeeding policy. Inadequate maternity leave policies, lack of workplace support, and insufficient access to breastfeeding education and services, particularly in rural areas, are identified as key gaps in Nigeria.
Breastfeeding provides essential nutrients for infants, strengthens their immune system, and fosters a unique bond between mother and child. Children who are breastfed have fewer infections and chronic diseases. However, despite these benefits, many mothers face significant challenges in initiating and maintaining breastfeeding due to a lack of support, misinformation, and social or economic barriers.
Policymakers, employers, and healthcare providers must work together to address these gaps and create sustainable support systems for breastfeeding Nigerian mothers.
Written by urgent.news from AllAfrica Health's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
