UNICEF advocates exclusive breastfeeding

The UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has urged nursing mothers to commit to breastfeeding their children exclusively for six months.

The fund’s Country Representative in Nigeria, Ms Cristian Munduate, made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Friday, on the occasion of the World Breastfeeding Week (WBW).

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NAN reports that WBW is commemorated from Aug. 1 to Aug. 7 every year and has “Closing the Gap: Breastfeeding Support for All” as the theme for 2024.

The aim is to emphasize the need to improve support as critical action for reducing health inequity and protecting the rights of mothers and babies to survive and thrive.

The UNICEF country representative, therefore, said “breast milk helps to boost the immunity of children and makes them stronger.

“The gift of mother nature granted us this opportunity for women to feed their children. This is the only source of food a child needs in the first six months of life.

“Breast milk helps to prevent babies from getting any type of disease. This is a call for women to engage and commit themselves to breastfeeding their children.

“There is also the need for government and religious leaders to advocate for it, provide conducive atmosphere and encourage mothers to Breastfeed.”

Munduate called for support in dispelling rumors and myths surrounding breastfeeding.

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According to her, one of the barriers to breastfeeding is cultural beliefs.

She said “there are some areas in the country where they believe the breast milk is not good for children. That is totally wrong and not true. Breast milk is essential and critical for a child to have a good start in life.”

She also urged pregnant women to always attend ante-natal care, where they would be provided Vitamin A, folic, iron, and micronutrients to make them strong.

According to her, Vitamin A and micronutrients help in preventing malnutrition in pregnant women.

She added that UNICEF had provided Vitamin A for pregnant women and women in fertile age free of charge.