In a bid to commemorate the 2023 World Breastfeeding Week, some Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) in Lagos have sensitized women on the importance of exclusive breastfeeding.
The 2023 World Breastfeeding week, with the theme: “Enabling Breastfeeding: Making a Difference for Working Parents”, is to enlighten nursing mothers on the importance of breastfeeding to babies and their health.
The Iba Local Council Development Area (LCDA) in partnership with the Lagos State Primary Health Care Board, District 5, flagged-off a sensitization programme for nursing mothers to commemorate the World Breastfeeding week 2023.
Alhaja Folashade Yisa, Wife of the Council Chairman, who was also the chairperson of the programme, encouraged mothers to breastfeed babies at least six months straight without water.
Yisa urged nursing mothers to take care of their personal health as “whatever you take in also goes on to the baby”.
In addition, She urged the women not to allow breastfeeding to hinder them from performing their duties as wives in the house.
“We urge you the mothers to breastfeed your babies exclusively and pay proper attention to their hygiene internally and externally,” she added.
Also, the Isolo LCDA in Lagos, joining the world to commemorate the year breastfeeding week, organized a health talk and workshop to advocate proper and exclusive breastfeeding.
Mrs Olajumoke Olasoju, Wife of the Council’s Chairman, who played host to hundreds of nursing mothers encouraged them on adherence to breastfeeding guidelines and its exclusive practice for the recommended period.
Olasoju, speaking on the theme “Enabling Breastfeeding: Making A Difference For Nursing Parents” called for support and encouragement for breastfeeding mothers especially at the workplace.
“I salute every nursing mother here for the deliberate effort we are investing into nurturing our babies.
“Breastfeeding provides essential nutrients, protection against disease and also provides emotional and cognitive development for infants and that underscores it is important in the life of our babies.
“It’s important that we encourage exclusive and proper breastfeeding to raise healthy, bright and promising children like ourselves.
She called on stakeholders in the private sector and community to take a cue from the government by creating support systems and consideration for nursing mothers in order to promote breastfeeding.
