At the General Hospital Calabar, 26-year-old Blessing Etim unbuttons her wrapper and brings her 45-minute-old daughter, to her breast. The baby latches immediately, eyes closed, tiny fist clenched.

“I was told to give her water because of the heat,” Blessing says softly, patting her daughter’s back. “But the nurses here told me: breast milk is 88% water. Nothing else for 6 months. So I listened.”

Blessing, one of the pregnant women who gave birth on August 1, is one of dozens of mothers practicing exclusive breastfeeding across three health facilities in Calabar during World Breastfeeding Week, August 1-7, 2026. From General Hospital to Primary Health Centres in the metropolis, the story is the same: determination mixed with support, myths, and moments of doubt.

Another woman who gave birth on the same day, Mrs. Comfort Okon, 32, is a mother with her third child. She already knows what’s coming because she exclusively breastfed her last two children for 6 months each.

“On the first day of delivery, my breasts were so sore and the baby was crying like she was hungry,” Comfort recalls, rubbing her baby bump. “My mother-in-law said ‘give pap water.’ But the BFHI nurses sat with me. They showed me proper latch. By the next few hours, it got easier.”

She says exclusive breastfeeding saved her money and kept her children healthy.
“Not one case of diarrhea. Not one hospital admission for fever in 6 months. That alone is a blessing.”

At the PHC in Myne Avenue, Calabar South Local Government Area, Aisha Mohammed, 24, is breastfeeding her one -day old son while her husband assisted her in taking care of their first child.

“It’s not easy with the pains,” she admits with a laugh. “But my husband is here helping me to take care of our first child. He even reminds me: ‘It’s time to breastfeed.'”

Aisha said health workers taught her how to express milk and store it.
“If I must go out early, i have to express breast milk in a clean cup and give to my sister to give to him. No formula. The nurses said that’s the rule for 6 months.”

Across all the facilities visited,, health workers say the same myths keep coming up: “the baby will be thirsty,” “your milk is not enough,” “give gripe water.”

Nurse Theresa Bassey at General Hospital, who counsels new mothers daily, says education is key.

“Once we explain that breast milk has everything — water, antibodies, nutrients — and show them the baby’s weight gain, they believe. The biggest support is family. When husbands and mothers-in-law are involved, exclusive breastfeeding works.”

For Blessing, the decision is simple. “Formula is expensive. And this one,” she looks down at her baby, “she sleeps well after feeding. We bond. I feel like I’m giving her the best start.”

As the World Breastfeeding Week 2026 goes on, the conversation in Cross River is shifting from mothers alone to the people around them. Fathers, mothers-in-law and employers in Calabar are sharing how their support helped nursing mothers practice exclusive breastfeeding for 6 months — and why it mattered.

This year’s theme, “Breastfeeding for a Sustainable Start in Life: Strengthen What Works”, puts the spotlight on family and workplace support as key drivers of optimal infant feeding.

Mr. Emmanuel Okon, a civil servant and father of 3, says he made breastfeeding a family project.

“My wife sells in Watt Market. The first baby, we struggled because I was not involved,” he said. “With the last two, I carried the baby to her when customers were many. I reminded her: ‘6 months, no water, no pap.'”

“Health workers told us breast milk prevents hospital bills. It’s true. No diarrhea, no malaria admissions in 6 months. Supporting her saved us money and gave us healthy children,” Mr. Okon added.

Mama Rose Bassey, 62, a mother-in-law in 8 Miles, admits she once advised her daughters-in-law to give gripe water and pap.

“I grew up hearing ‘breast milk alone is not enough,'” she said. “But the nurses at PHC invited us for antenatal class. They showed us the baby’s weight chart. I saw it with my eyes.”

Since then, i have become an advocate in my community.
“Now when visitors say ‘the baby is thirsty,’ I answer them: ‘My milk is 88% water. No other thing for 6 months.’ I cook for her, I watch the baby so she can rest and breastfeed. That is my own contribution.”

At a fashion shop on Marian Road, Mrs. Linda Edet, a boutique owner, says she set up a small screened corner for her 2 salesgirls who are nursing mothers.

“The heat is much and customers are always around. So we put a chair, curtain and fan behind,” she explained. “They express milk in the morning and store it in a cooler. When they need to feed, they go there.”

She says the arrangement has reduced absenteeism.
“If the mother is comfortable, the baby is healthy, she comes to work focused. It’s good for business too. I encourage other employers to do the same. It doesn’t cost much.”

Nurse Theresa Bassey of General Hospital Calabar says mothers succeed most when the family buys in.

“When the husband brings water for the mother, when the mother-in-law defends her from ‘give the baby water’ pressure, when the employer gives time to breastfeed — that mother will make 6 months exclusive,” she said.
“We now invite fathers and grandmothers to counselling sessions. The result is better weight gain and fewer sick babies.”

The stories come as the Cross River State Primary Health Care Development Agency, CRSPHCDA ramps up community sensitization for World Breastfeeding Week, August 1-7, with the slogan “Breastfeeding Works – Let’s Strengthen It Together.”

The Federal Ministry of Health, with UNICEF, is also launching the First 1000 Days of Life SBC Campaign to move from event-based talks to sustained behavior change in homes, communities and workplaces.

“A mother who returns to work needs an enabling environment. A nursing mother needs her husband and family. Communities must respect and protect breastfeeding,” the Agency said.

For Aisha Mohammed, 24, , that support made the difference.

“My husband helps out while I breastfeed. My sister gives expressed milk when I’m out. Because of them, my boy has only had breast milk.”

As Cross River State joins the rest of the world to mark the week, the message from families is clear: when fathers, mothers-in-law and employers stand with mothers, exclusive breastfeeding works.

“My milk is enough,” says Blessing Etim of General Hospital. “But it was enough because I was not alone.”