The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has called on employers, health workers, families and communities across south-west to provide stronger support for breastfeeding mothers, stressing that collective action is essential to improve exclusive breastfeeding rates and give every child the best start in life.

The call was made by the Chief of UNICEF Field Office in Lagos, Celine Lafoucriere, during an event to mark the commencement of World Breastfeeding Week.

She said the week provides an opportunity to renew commitment to protecting, promoting and supporting breastfeeding as a critical child survival and development intervention.

Lafoucriere noted that while most Nigerian mothers breastfeed their babies, far too few follow the recommended breastfeeding practices set by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the Federal Ministry of Health. She described breast milk as the first vaccine every baby receives, explaining that it protects infants against common childhood diseases, promotes brain development, and offers the healthiest start to life at no financial cost to families.

Expressing concern over current statistics, the UNICEF chief said only one in three babies in Nigeria is breastfed within the first hour after birth.

She added that only three in 10 infants are exclusively breastfed for the first six months of life without water, formula or solid foods.

According to her, these low rates contribute to preventable child illnesses, malnutrition and deaths.

She said the south-west, with its extensive network of hospitals, busy markets and a growing population of working mothers, has the potential to significantly improve these figures if the right support systems are put in place.

Lafoucriere, however, stressed that successful breastfeeding should not be seen as the sole responsibility of mothers.

“A mother cannot do this alone,” she said. She explained that mothers require supportive workplaces that provide adequate maternity leave, flexible work hours, and private spaces where they can breastfeed or express milk.

She also called on health workers to provide accurate and consistent information on infant feeding and to resist misleading marketing of breast milk substitutes.

The UNICEF chief further urged family members, including husbands, grandmothers, mothers-in-law and religious leaders, to play active roles in encouraging breastfeeding mothers.

She said cultural beliefs and family pressure often discourage exclusive breastfeeding, and that changing these attitudes requires deliberate engagement with community influencers.

Calling for practical action from all stakeholders, Lafoucriere appealed to employers in both the public and private sectors to create breastfeeding-friendly work environments.

She said this includes establishing creches, lactation rooms, and policies that allow nursing mothers to take breastfeeding breaks without penalty.

She also urged healthcare workers to ensure that every newborn is put to the breast within the first hour after birth and that mothers receive counselling and support throughout the first six months.

She encouraged families to stand firmly behind breastfeeding mothers by offering emotional and practical support, such as helping with household tasks so mothers can focus on feeding and caring for their babies.

Addressing nursing mothers directly, the UNICEF official acknowledged their sacrifices, especially those caring for their babies during late-night hours.

“To every mother in Lagos feeding her child right now, alone in the quiet hours of the night, we see you. You are giving your child their first and best gift,” she said.

She assured them that UNICEF, its partners and government remain committed to supporting them through policies, services and community programmes aimed at improving maternal and child health.

Lafoucriere said UNICEF will continue to work with state governments, health institutions, civil society organisations and the private sector in the south-west to scale up breastfeeding promotion, improve data collection, and monitor progress toward national and global nutrition targets.

World Breastfeeding Week is observed yearly from August 1 to 7 to highlight the benefits of breastfeeding and to mobilise support for mothers and babies worldwide.