The Osun State Government has called on fathers to support their wives during the six-month exclusive breastfeeding period.

The government emphasised the importance of men providing adequate and nutritious food for their nursing wives, enabling them to feed the child sufficiently.

This rallying cry was issued as the government, healthcare professionals, and women advocates urged nursing mothers and fathers to ensure their children receive six months of exclusive breastfeeding, which they described as a natural and vital foundation for a child’s health and development.

Their submission aligns with the recommendations of the World Health Organisation and the United Nations Children’s Fund, advocating exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life, followed by continued breastfeeding alongside appropriate complementary foods until two years and beyond.

The stakeholders in child care emphasised their recommendation at a breastfeeding awareness campaign organised by the Osun State Ministry of Information and Public Enlightenment, held in Osogbo, the state capital.

At the one-day seminar, nursing mothers, women advocates, and healthcare professionals collectively highlighted the importance of exclusive breastfeeding and its long-term benefits to the mother, child and father.

In his address, the Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi, described breast milk as the ideal nutritional source for infants, stating that it contains the perfect balance of proteins, fats, vitamins, and antibodies necessary for healthy growth and brain development.

He said, “Breastfeeding strengthens a baby’s immune system, making them more resistant to infections such as diarrhea, respiratory illnesses, and ear infections,” he said. “It also offers natural protection against many childhood diseases.”

Alimi further noted that breastfeeding fosters a strong emotional bond between mother and child, promoting a sense of security and well-being in the child’s formative months. He also emphasised that breastfeeding reduces the risk of chronic illnesses such as obesity, type 2 diabetes, asthma, and allergies.

The commissioner passionately appealed to men, urging them to support their wives during the breastfeeding period.

“Only an irresponsible man would abandon his wife during this critical phase. Men should always provide good food for their wives during these six months of breastfeeding,” Alimi stated.

“The men should be the physical and emotional support for their wives throughout the six-month breastfeeding journey,” he counselled.

He also outlined the maternal health benefits, explaining that breastfeeding helps reduce the risk of postpartum haemorrhage, promotes faster uterine recovery, and lowers the risk of breast and ovarian cancers. Additionally, it contributes to natural child spacing.

Meanwhile, Alimi has disclosed that Governor Adeleke would consider a push for six months of paid leave for nursing mothers and two weeks of paid leave for their husbands.

Other speakers at the event emphasised the economic and environmental advantages of breastfeeding. They pointed out that breast milk is always accessible, requires no preparation, and eliminates the costs of formula, bottles, and sterilisation — making it a cost-effective and eco-friendly choice for families.

Additionally, the Commissioner for Economic Planning, Budget and Development, Professor Maruf Adeleke, stated that the Osun State Government under Governor Ademola Adeleke has taken the lead in promoting breastfeeding awareness across the state, supporting policies and programmes that empower mothers and safeguard child health.

In her remarks, Popoola Rasheedat Oluwakemi, the State Nutrition Officer, emphasised the importance of exclusive breastfeeding, stating it is key to a healthy nation.

She called on the state government to approve six months’ paid leave for nursing mothers while allowing fathers to also have a two-week break to support their wives.