FG advocates exclusive breastfeeding.

[FMINigeria]

The Federal Government of Nigeria has advocated exclusive breastfeeding among nursing mothers with a view to reduce malnutrition and other related conditions that lead to infant and young child morbidity and mortality in the country.

The Director of Family Health, Federal Ministry of Health, Dr.Balami Wampada who was represented by Mrs. Oshuntogun gave this indication at a Media Roundtable in Abuja as part of activities to mark the 2013 World Breast feeding week (WBW).

He explained that Nigeria joins the global community to commemorate this year's World breastfeeding week with the theme, "Breastfeeding support: Close to Mothers" in order to encourage breastfeeding mother to adopt best breast feeding practices through  peer counselling support in various ways feasible in her home and community.

He stressed that though more than 90% Nigerian mothers have no problem in breastfeeding their young children, yet the exclusive breastfeeding practices is rarely adhered to, pointing out that this is caused by several factors to include socio-cultural beliefs, prejudices, taboos and economy.

He maintained that the Media Roundtable is another significant avenue to reach the different segments of the population that will be close to mothers/caregivers and support them for optimal breastfeeding practices.

Dr.Balami noted that the key to breastfeeding practices is continued day-to-day support for the breastfeeding mother within her home and community adding that the peer counselling Program is cost effective and highly productive.

Also speaking, Wemimo Adekoya, Communications and Support assistant(Nutrition), Save the Children International, Nigeria Country Office, Abuja said that the sub-optimal infant and young child feeding practise in Nigeria contribute to under-five mortality; with the exclusive breast feeding rate as low as 13%. It is estimated that 22% of newborn deaths could be prevented if breastfeeding started within the first hour of births.

She stressed that infants who are not breastfed are 15 times more likely to die from pneumonia and 11 times more likely to die of diarrhoea than those who are exclusively breastfed for the first six months of life.

Save the Children is an internal charity organization that promotes the right of every child to education, health and protection. It has been working in Nigeria since 2001 and currently works in more than ten states, spread over four of six Nigeria's geopolitical zones.

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Federal Ministry of Information (FMI) Nigeria