Exclusive Breastfeeding: How Mothers Brave the Odds to Give Newborns Their First Line of Defence
Every mother wants the best start for her child, but for many Nigerian women, exclusive breastfeeding comes with sleepless nights, financial pressure and physical exhaustion. Yet, despite these challenges, they
This report highlights the challenges faced by mothers in Nigeria who practice exclusive breastfeeding, despite the physical and emotional exhaustion it can bring. Despite these difficulties, many Nigerian women continue to breastfeed their newborns, recognizing the benefits of breastmilk as their child's first line of defence against illnesses and a foundation for healthy growth.
World Breastfeeding Week, which took place from August 1 to 7, saw UNICEF renew its call for stronger support for breastfeeding mothers, emphasizing that breastmilk is more than just food—it is protection. However, the report notes that Nigeria still faces a major gap in breastfeeding practices, with only a small percentage of babies being exclusively breastfed during their first six months of life.
It stresses that the responsibility for ensuring every newborn benefits from recommended breastfeeding practices cannot rest solely on mothers, but also on supportive workplaces, accurate information from health workers, and encouragement from family members.
Brief written by urgent.news from This Day's own syndicated text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
