Source: Fortune Eromonsele

The picture of a mother, holding her baby, used to illustrate a story

As World Breastfeeding Week (August 1–7) is celebrated globally, the Nigerian government and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) are calling for a renewed, collective commitment to build sustainable systems that support breastfeeding mothers.

This year’s theme, “Priorities Breastfeeding: Create Sustainable Support Systems,” underscores the urgent need to invest in home, community, workplace, and healthcare structures that empower mothers to breastfeed effectively.

Breastfeeding in Nigeria: Where Do We Stand?

Breastfeeding is widely acknowledged as one of the most cost-effective and life-saving interventions for infants and mothers alike. It provides optimal nutrition, strengthens immunity, fosters brain development, and reduces the risk of childhood obesity. For mothers, it helps prevent breast and ovarian cancers, and Type 2 diabetes.

Despite these benefits, many Nigerian mothers face barriers to effective breastfeeding. While more than 90% of mothers begin breastfeeding, recent data from the 2023–2024 National Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS) paints a less promising picture:

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

Alarmingly, only 12 of Nigeria’s 36 states, along with the Federal Capital Territory, offer the internationally recommended six months of paid maternity leave — a major roadblock to sustained breastfeeding.

What Needs to Change

To address these gaps, UNICEF and the Nigerian government are advocating for the following:

• Extension of paid maternity leave to at least six months nationwide.
• Training and equipping health workers to support mothers during the early stages of breastfeeding.
• Workplace-friendly policies, including breastfeeding rooms and flexible schedules.
• Community-based support networks, including local peer counselors and midwives.