By Alice Etuka, Abuja
Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare in collaboration with its Health partners and Stakeholders would join the rest of the world to observe the World Breastfeeding Week from the 1st to 7th August, 2024.
Director Press and Public Relations of the Ministry, Patricia Deworitshe disclosed this in a statement issued on Monday, July 22, 2024.
Deworitshe explained that the World Breastfeeding Week was a yearly global campaign instituted to raise awareness on the health and wellbeing outcomes of breastfeeding, on infants, young children mothers, families and society at large.
She said the global theme for this year’s World Breastfeeding Week, was ‘Closing the Gap, Breastfeeding Support for All’.
Speaking further, she noted that the theme emphasizes the collective responsibility of all, to ensure that every mother received the support she needs to make breastfeeding a successful and fulfilling experience.
The statement read in part:
“In order to successfully breastfeed their babies, mothers need support from the health system, family members, community members and workplace.
“This support is critical to the success of breastfeeding because knowledge sharing, encouragement, support with household chores, call-ups and creation of an enabling environment makes the act of breastfeeding easier for the mother.
“It is essential that no-one is left behind especially vulnerable mothers who may need additional assistance to reduce breastfeeding inequalities. Women in all settings need and deserve support to optimally breastfeed their babies.
“Hence, the Ministry has dedicated 1st to 7th August, 2024 to celebrate the week long event with a series of planned activities. The week will be flagged-off on the 1st August with a record breaking event for most lactating women breastfeeding simultaneously, which will be followed by community outreaches, training of health workers, media campaign, among others.
“The Ministry also recommends early initiation of breastfeeding within an hour of birth, exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life, continued breastfeeding up to two years of age or beyond, with the introduction of appropriate complementary food as from six months.
“The general public, is being reminded that breastfeeding provides many unmatched proven health benefits for babies and mothers, as well as potential economic benefits for households and communities. Breastfed babies have stronger immunity, reduced risk of infections and many childhood illnesses. Breastmilk is the ideal food for infants, it is readily available, cheap, safe, clean and gives the first form of protection against many common childhood illnesses”.
