Exclusive breastfeeding has the potential to save more children’s lives than any other preventive intervention, and men and grandmothers play a crucial role in encouraging nursing mothers. This was the focus of a two-day media dialogue with journalists from Gombe, Bauchi, Adamawa, Taraba, and Plateau States held in Adamawa State.
UNICEF Nutrition Specialist Philomena Irene, in a presentation underscored the critical importance of breastfeeding in giving children the healthiest start in life.
According to her, exclusive breastfeeding has the potential to save more children’s lives than any other preventive intervention. But how do we encourage mothers to breastfeed, and what role do men and grandmothers play in supporting this essential practice? The answer lies in the power of family support, Irene emphasised.
“When mothers breastfeed, everyone benefits. It’s time for us to recognise the significance of exclusive breastfeeding and rally support for mothers in their journey to provide the best possible start in life for their children.,” she said.
According to the 2021 Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) Breastfeeding Statistics, 53.3 per cent of mothers in Adamawa exclusively breastfeed their infants for the first six months, 26.4 per cent in Bauchi, 30.7 per cent in Gombe, 38.6 per cent in Plateau, and 33.7 per cent in Taraba.
The UNICEF’S Nutrition Specialist highlighted, “If 90 per cent of mothers exclusively breastfed their infants for the first six months, an estimated 13 per cent of child deaths could be averted.” Breastfed children have at least six times greater chance of survival in the early months compared to non-breastfed children, and exclusively breastfed children are fourteen times less likely to die in the first six months than non-breastfed children.
Exclusive breastfeeding is not only a maternal choice but demands collective effort from families, communities, and governments. By empowering men and grandmothers to actively support breastfeeding mothers, we can significantly reduce child mortality rates and enhance overall health outcomes.Mrs Irene emphasised
In an interview with journalists, Malam Abdullahi Garba, a farmer with a three-month-old baby, shared his unwavering support for his wife’s decision to exclusively breastfeed their child. “We haven’t given our baby any water or other liquids yet, and we plan to continue this until our baby is six months old,” he affirmed. He also stressed the importance of co-parenting, taking turns to babysit, and ensuring his wife receives nutritious meals for her health.
Another father, Malam Ahmed, a teacher, echoed Malam Abdullahi’s views. He recounted how healthcare guidance during an antenatal visit reinforced their commitment to exclusively breastfeed their newborn. “They emphasised that what the mother eats directly affects the baby through breastmilk,” he explained. “That’s why we’re fully behind our wife’s decision.”
Grandmothers also play a pivotal role in promoting breastfeeding.
Sixty-five-year-old grandmother of eleven, Hadiza Mugaddo, shared her experience of supporting her daughters and daughters-in-law in their breastfeeding journeys. “I assist with childcare and household chores so my daughter can prioritise breastfeeding,” she noted. “I also stress the importance of exclusive breastfeeding for the baby’s health.” Reflecting on her own past, she added, “I did not breastfeeding my children due to ignorance, but now I’m keen on encouraging my daughters and daughters-in-law to practise exclusive breastfeeding.”
PERISCOPE NIGERIA reports that this year’s breastfeeding week theme, ‘Closing the Gap: Breastfeeding Support for All,’ underscores the collective effort needed to ensure safe motherhood and childhood.
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