WBW 2021: UNICEF applauds Kaduna Government for achieving optimal infant feeding

*The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) commends the Kaduna State Government on implementing a six-month paid maternity leave to allow lactating working mothers to exclusively breastfeed their babies

Alexander Davis | ConsumerConnect

For establishing the Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF) programme in 20 of the 23 Local Government Areas (LGAs), the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has applauded the Kaduna State Government for its efforts at achieving optimal IYCF practices in the state.

ConsumerConnect reports Mrs. Chinwe Ezeife, Nutrition Specialist in UNICEF Kaduna State, who gave the commendation while speaking with reporters in Kaduna said the commendation was timely as the world commemorates the 2021 World Breastfeeding Week (WBW) titled, “Protect Breastfeeding: A Shared Responsibility’’.

Photo: WBFAfrica.Org

Mrs. Ezeife explained that IYCF includes early initiation of breastfeeding for new born babies, exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months, and optimal nutrient-dense complementary feeding after six months.

The UN agency’s Nutrition Specialist disclosed the Kaduna State Government, supported by UNICEF and other development partners, has established the IYCF programme in 20 of its 23 local government areas and that plans were on to cover the remaining three.

She commended the state government on implementing a six-month paid maternity leave to allow lactating working mothers to exclusively breastfeed their babies.

Plans are also on the way for paternity leave to enable husbands to support their wives to practise exclusive breastfeeding, said Ezeife noted.

The UNICEF nutrition expert said: “This will give infants a good start in life for healthy growth and development.

“Also, a crèche has been established at the Planning and Budget Commission, to encourage Ministries, Department and Agencies to provide a befitting environment for working mothers to breastfeed their babies.

“This is quite commendable and in line with this year’s WBW’s theme, which focuses on mobilising relevant stakeholders to support women to practice exclusive breastfeeding.”

According to her, early initiation of breastfeeding provides children with colostrum, the first form of milk produced by a woman immediately after she has been delivered of a baby.

Infant and young child feeding enlightenment programme in Nigeria   Photo: Spring-Nutrition.Org

The first milk, she said, is often described as “first immunisation’’, because it protects infants from certain diseases and allows them to grow strong and healthy.

Mrs. Ezeife further stated that exclusive breastfeeding is critical to a child’s cognitive development.

“Exclusive breastfeeding not only makes children very intelligent and less prone to diseases, it also saves parents huge costs on baby formulae.

“All a mother requires to practice exclusive breastfeeding is the support from all stakeholders and food security to feed very well to produce the needed milk to breastfeed her baby.

“This was uniquely done by a mother, Hajiya Amina Abubakar, who was supported by family members, community, health workers and relevant stakeholders to exclusively breastfeed her triplets,’’ she added.