Cross River State Government has recorded a notable increase in breastfeeding rates, with more than 87% rise in infants exclusively breastfed under six months.

The Director of Nutrition, Cross River State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Mrs. Winifred Ogar, disclosed this in Calabar during a field mission undertaken by journalists on the 2025 World Breastfeeding Week.

She attributed the success to renewed calls by UNICEF for states to strengthen health systems and invest in sustainable breastfeeding support to protect infant health and development, as well as the effort of the wife of the state governor, Bishop Eyoanwan Otu, the State Breastfeeding Champion, who has been campaigning for exclusive breastfeeding and supporting breastfeeding mothers across the state.

Ogar lauded the state governor, Senator Bassey Otu, for his bold step in approving six months maternity leave for mothers, calling it a crucial policy that reinforced breastfeeding as both a health and developmental priority.
“Since she was decorated as the State Breastfeeding Champion, we have seen compliance towards exclusive breastfeeding amongst lactating mothers.
“We have been sensitizing breastfeeding mothers who turn up in the various health facilities across the state on the importance and benefits of exclusive breastfeeding and proper positioning and attachment during breastfeeding, and they intentionally agreed that it is the best for their babies, and so this year also we have seen mothers complying in our health facilities, putting babies to breast one hour at birth,” she said.

She said the negligible percentage of those yet to comply complain about inadequate feeding, pressure by mothers-in-law to give water to the baby, myths, and cultural beliefs.
The director called on fathers to support their wives during the six-month exclusive breastfeeding period and urged all stakeholders, including politicians and policymakers, to give serious attention to breastfeeding issues.

The Focal Persons of the programme in Calabar Municipal Council Area, Mrs. Nkoyo Orok Okon, and her counterpart in Yakurr Local Council, Mrs. Pricious Usani, as well as that of Obanliku Council Area, Mrs. Virginia Anya, attributed the success recorded in the three senatorial districts to intensive sensitization campaigns on exclusive breastfeeding in all the healthcare facilities in their various local council areas, support by government at all levels, UNICEF, WHO, and particularly fathers who now understand the need to support their breastfeeding wives.

They emphasized the need for policies that support breastfeeding, such as family-friendly employment policies and regulation of breastmilk substitute marketing.
Some of the breastfeeding mothers who spoke expressed gratitude to all the stakeholders in the health sector, the development partners, as well as their husbands, for supporting exclusive breastfeeding.

While thanking the state governor, Senator Bassey Otu, for his renewed vigor in renovating healthcare facilities in their local council areas, they called on government to make essential drugs and more health workers available to meet their needs.