Lagos State First Lady, Dr. (Mrs.) Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu on Thursday advocated that stakeholders in all sectors should optimally support breastfeeding of babies by creating an enabling environment for nursing mothers to nurture their children.
Dr. Sanwo-Olu made this call during an enlightenment seminar marking the year 2019 Breastfeeding week organised by the Lagos Chapter of the National Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ).
The event, which took place at Combo Hall of LTV, Ikeja and themed “Empower Parents, Enable Breastfeeding“ was to create awareness on the importance of breastfeeding, disabuse old cultural beliefs and further promote family-friendly initiatives that help parents collectively nurture, connect and bond with their children.
Represented by Mrs. Funmilayo Obajimi who declared the seminar open, the First Lady noted that optimal breastfeeding promotes better health for mothers and children, particularly exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months, as it has a substantial positive impact on child survival with the potential of preventing12 to 15 percent of all infant mortality in the developing world.
She advised mothers to breastfeed their babies within an hour of birth so as to take advantage of the first natural immunisation via colostrums which protects infants from an early grave, noting that breastfeeding decreases the risk of mothers developing and losing their lives to breast cancer, ovarian cancer, type 2 diabetes and heart disease.
Dr. Sanwo-Olu commended the Lagos State Government’s family-friendly initiatives through the enactment of a law that protects the right of fathers to partake in the nursing of their child in the first two weeks, and urged other States to enact similar laws that protect and support joint parental efforts in weaning infants.
In her welcome address, the NAWOJ Chairperson, Adeola Ekine called for collective support of all and further commended the United Nations for setting the agenda, in collaboration with Federal Ministry of Health, towards attaining 50% breastfeeding rate in Nigeria through “The Child Survival Action Plan”.
Ekine noted further that working mothers also need access to a parent-friendly workplace to protect and support their ability to continue breastfeeding upon return to work, suggesting that mothers should be granted breastfeeding breaks; a safe, private, hygienic space for expressing and storing breast milk; as well as affordable childcare.
The guest speaker Prof. Tola Atinmo of the department of Human Nutrition, University of Ibadan on his part called for the creation of conducive workplace crèches and supported the call for enactment of family-friendly laws to reduce infant mortality and increase family values.
He lamented that many infant deaths are preventable if mothers religiously adhered to recommendations for child survival and a mother’s sound health.
Atinmo identified obstacles to the practicality of the exercise to include ignorance, illiteracy, lack of nursing knowledge, lack of support and cooperation from stakeholders, reaffirming the need for all-inclusive parenting to achieve set objectives, especially in today’s world where the aggressive quest for economic security supersedes the home front.
Emphasising the importance of breastfeeding, Professor Atinmo said “Research has shown that breastfeeding is clean, safe and infants are protected against diarrheal diseases usually resulting from dirty water, food, teats, and bottles. You will agree with me that the promotion and protection of breastfeeding are fundamental in the survival and development of our children. World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends exclusive breastfeeding until a baby is six months old”.
The event was attended by the Director, Public Affairs in the Ministry of Information and Strategy, Mr. Sina Thorpe who also represented the Permanent Secretary; former NAWOJ President, Mrs. Toro Oladapo; Chairman, Lagos NUJ, Dr. Quasim Akinreti and many other distinguished guests.
