The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) reports that only one in every three babies in Nigeria is exclusively breastfed for the first six months.
Mrs. Juliet Chiluwe, UNICEF’s Chief of the Enugu Field Office, made this statement while addressing journalists during a virtual meeting held in Owerri on Thursday.
The event was part of the activities commemorating World Breastfeeding Week, observed annually from August 1 to August 7.
The theme for the 2025 edition is: “Prioritise Breastfeeding: Create Sustainable Support Systems.”
Chiluwe described breastfeeding as “a cornerstone of child survival, growth, and healthy development.”
She emphasized the urgent need to establish lasting systems that support mothers in breastfeeding.
However, she expressed satisfaction that over 90 percent of Nigerian women have breastfed their babies.
Chiluwe praised Lagos, Kwara, Ekiti, Oyo, Cross River, Kaduna, Niger, Ondo, Enugu, and Plateau states for extending paid maternity leave up to six months for public sector workers.
According to her, this extension will serve as an incentive to improve and encourage efficient breastfeeding.
She said it reduces the pressure on lactating mothers to return to work prematurely.
“Breast milk is all a baby needs for the first six months; no substitutes compare.
“Mothers need time, support, and protection from families, workplaces, communities, and the government,” she added.
Chiluwe called for the establishment of breastfeeding corners in workplaces to provide mothers with dignified and convenient spaces to breastfeed.
She noted that with the right support, working mothers can successfully breastfeed their babies.
Also speaking, Dr. Hillary Ozor, UNICEF’s Social Behavioral Change Specialist in the Enugu field office, urged action on agenda-setting for breastfeeding.
“We should set the agenda, and the media can lead the call for action on breastfeeding.
“A clear sign of love for my child is to exclusively breastfeed my child,” she said.
