In commemoration of the 2023 World Breastfeeding Week, the Federal Government of Nigeria revealed some concerning statistics about infant feeding practices in the country. According to a press statement signed by Patricia Deworitshe, the Director of Media at the Federal Ministry of Health, only 29% of infants under the age of six months are exclusively breastfed. Even more alarming, only 42% of newborns are put to breast within the crucial first hour of birth.
The government emphasized the importance of nutrition-specific interventions to combat malnutrition and highlighted the need to attain a coverage rate of 80% or higher among the targeted population for significant impact.
The World Breastfeeding Week (WBW), observed globally from August 1 to 7, is an annual campaign aimed at increasing awareness of the numerous health and well-being benefits that breastfeeding provides to infants, young children, mothers, families, and society as a whole.
This year’s WBW theme, ‘Enable breastfeeding, making a difference for working parents,’ focuses on the challenges and opportunities of breastfeeding while juggling employment responsibilities.
The figures revealed by the Federal Government shed light on the pressing need to promote and support exclusive breastfeeding practices in Nigeria to improve infant health and nutrition outcomes, including the prevention of stunting. It serves as a call to action for individuals, communities, and policymakers to work together to create an enabling environment for breastfeeding mothers, especially in the workplace.