Proper breastfeeding, family planning helps control birth rate, reduces maternal death – Expert

Focal Person, Ikot Offiong Ambai Primary Health Centre in Akpabuyo Local Government area, Cross River State, Mrs. Gift Edem has said that exclusive breastfeeding and family planning helps in child spacing and also reduce maternal death rates.

She stated this yesterday during an awareness campaign in the community on exclusive breastfeeding, family planning, and other health-related talk as it concerns woman and child.

According to Mrs. Edem, family planning helps to control birth rate, avoid careless childbearing, reduce maternal death rates and make for happier homes because of controlled birthing, while describing it as very effective and safe.

“Every Thursday, the Ikot Offiong Ambai Primary Healthcare Center in Akpabuyo Local government Area, is a focal point for the campaign for exclusive breasts feeding, family planning, and other health-related talk as it concerns women and children.”

According to her, that exclusive breastfeeding and family planning goes hand in hand, adding that, “we gather women to talk about breastfeeding, family planning, and other associated deceases.”

On her part Mrs Esu Antigha of the Primary Health Center Ikot Offiong Ambai, said exclusive breastfeeding concerns itself with giving a child only breast milk for a period of six months without water, which helps the child to grow and develop faster, among other attendant advantages.

Mrs Atim Okon also said the essence of the programme is aimed at creating awareness on exclusive breastfeeding and family planning.

Also speaking, a nursing mother, Mrs. Eyo Ita SAID, that the event has helped broadened her knowledge of the importance breastfeeding and family planning, pointing out that the knowledge gained will in no small measure guide her in nurturing her children and plan family better.

Another mother, Jessica Ambrose, commended the state government and their partner, United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) for bringing the campaign to their community, saying a lot was learned in the course of the event. She further noted that the awareness has addressed some of the stereotypes about family planning and exclusive breastfeeding, especially in the remote communities.