WBW : Building Sustainable Support For Nigerian Mothers And Infants

Breastfeeding is often described as a child’s first vaccine, a natural, cost- effective way to ensure survival, good health, and proper development.

For mothers, it offers physical and emotional benefits, including faster postpartum recovery and reduced risk of certain cancers.

In Nigeria, where millions of children face the threat of malnutrition and preventable disease, breastfeeding is not just a personal choice but a necessity.

Exclusive breastfeeding rates in Nigeria have historically been alarmingly low.

According to UNICEF and the World Health Organization, just 17% of infants were exclusively breastfed in the early 2000s.

Many mothers introduce water, herbal mixtures, or infant formula within weeks of childbirth, practices that compromised infant nutrition and health.

This trend was fueled by a combination of inadequate health education, cultural misconceptions, and weak support systems.

Exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months was rarely maintained.

Workplaces lacked maternity-friendly policies, and myths about “not having enough milk” or breast milk being insufficient were widespread.

Recognizing the importance of breastfeeding, the World Health Assembly in 2018 endorsed the annual celebration of World Breastfeeding Week from 1st to 7th August as a global strategy to promote awareness and action.

Since then, Nigeria has seen gradual improvement, driven by awareness campaigns, public health education, and strategic partnerships between government agencies and international organizations.

The exclusive breastfeeding rate rose to about 29% by 2021, according to the National Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS).

Still, progress remains insufficient.

The current figure falls short of the WHO global target of at least 50% this year.

In underserved rural communities, access to breastfeeding knowledge remains limited.

Meanwhile, urban working mothers face the challenge of balancing breastfeeding with rigid work schedules and inadequate maternity leave especially for those in the private sector.

Another concern is the high rate of early cessation, where mothers begin the process of ending breastfeeding before six months due to fatigue, economic pressure, or social discouragement.

The absence of supportive breastfeeding spaces in public and professional environments continues to hinder many Nigerian women.

To protect and promote breastfeeding, a multi-sectoral approach is urgently needed as the health of the next generation depends on it.

Policy reform is also crucial.

The federal government must enforce six months of paid maternity leave, relevant government authorities must regulate the marketing of infant formula, and mandate workplace environments that support breastfeeding.

It is imperative for healthcare systems to prioritize counseling.

Frontline health workers must also be equipped and continuously trained to support mothers from pregnancy through infancy.

Breastfeeding-friendly workspaces are essential, hence employers should establish lactation rooms, and embrace flexible schedules.

These measures will not only support mothers but improve morale, reduce absenteeism, and enhance staff retention.

Media and influencers must join the cause by promoting positive messages, debunking harmful myths, and normalizing breastfeeding in both private and public spaces, as they can play a key role in shifting societal attitudes.

Ultimately, breastfeeding is not a mother’s burden to bear alone, it is a shared responsibility.

Every child deserves the healthiest start in life, and every mother deserves the support to make that possible.

By Annabel Nwachukwu, Edited By Grace Namiji