World Breastfeeding Week: Physician Advocates Exclusivity In Breastfeeding

A physician, Olakunle Omoteemi has called on breastfeeding mothers to ensure their babies are breastfed exclusively for the first six months of their lives.

The physician made this known in a chat with AllNews Nigeria on the heels of the 2022 World Breastfeeding Week in Osogbo on Wednesday.

The theme for the 2022 World Breastfeeding Week is; Step up for breastfeeding: educate and support.

The World Breastfeeding Week is an annual event organised by the World Health Organisation to create awareness, promote, protect and support the process of exclusive breastfeeding practices for a period of six months, to reduce the surge in the infant mortality rate.

It is usually commemorated worldwide in the first week of August.

Omoteemi who noted that the crusade on exclusive breastfeeding was aimed at improving the nutritional status of all under fives added that it will also enable the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 1 – 6.

“The antibodies that babies need are obtained from the mother’s breast milk. This is why exclusive breastfeeding is a practice that is in conformity with international best practices.

“Exclusive breastfeeding also promotes healthy living for working mothers and their babies.”

The medical expert urged the government and stakeholders to rededicate themselves to prioritising breastfeeding friendly environment for mothers and their babies.

He also urged the government to prioritise a breastfeeding-friendly-environment for mothers and babies by ensuring the full implementation of the international code for marketing of breast milk substitutes.

He also implored the government to ensure employers allow women the time and space they needed to breastfeed their babies.