In commemoration of World Breastfeeding Week, the United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF) and the World Health Organisation (WHO) have urged the Federal Government to implement and monitor family-friendly workplace policies, such as paid maternity leave, breastfeeding breaks and access to affordable and good-quality childcare.
The UN bodies also called on the government to develop and enforce laws restricting the marketing of breast-milk substitutes, including digital marketing practices, with monitoring to routinely report the code violations.
In a message to kick-start the long week activities, Nigeria’s Country Representative of UNICEF, Cristian Munduate, stated that breastfeeding is the foundation of lifelong health and well-being, adding that it is a simple, cost-effective, and natural way to provide infants with the nutrients they need for healthy growth and development.
She said that during this critical period of early growth and development, the antibodies in breast milk protect babies against illness and death, pointing out that this is especially important during emergencies, when breastfeeding guarantees a safe, nutritious and accessible food source for infants and young children.
Munduate further noted that breastfeeding reduces the burden of childhood illness and the risk of certain types of cancers and noncommunicable diseases for mothers.
THEGUARDIAN
