Source: Agency Report

A mother breastfeeding

As World Breastfeeding Week (August 1–7) unfolds, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has raised concerns over Nigeria’s low rate of exclusive breastfeeding, revealing that only one in three babies receives breast milk exclusively in the first six months of life.

The agency urged the Nigerian government and private sector to prioritise the creation of sustainable breastfeeding support systems to reverse this worrying trend.

📉 Declining Breastfeeding Indicators

UNICEF cited findings from the 2023–2024 National Demographic and Health Survey, which show:

• Early initiation of breastfeeding (within one hour of birth) has dropped from 42% in 2018 to 36% in 2023.
• Exclusive breastfeeding in the first six months remains stagnant at 29%.
• Only 23% of children are breastfed for the recommended two years.

“These figures show we are falling short. Breastfeeding is essential for child survival, cognitive development, and disease prevention,” UNICEF warned.

🍼 Why Breastfeeding Matters

UNICEF emphasised that breast milk:

• Provides essential nutrients and antibodies,
• Reduces infant mortality and risk of obesity,
• Lowers maternal risks of breast cancer, ovarian cancer, and Type 2 diabetes,
• Is cost-effective, sustainable, and climate-friendly.

👩‍👧 Call for Supportive Systems

Currently, only 12 of Nigeria’s 36 states, including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), offer up to six months of paid maternity leave, a key enabler for exclusive breastfeeding.

UNICEF and health stakeholders are advocating for:

• Six-month paid maternity leave nationwide,
• Workplace breastfeeding policies,
• Training for frontline health workers,
• Greater community awareness and support.