ENUGU, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)- Women across the country have been advised to imbibe the culture of exclusive breastfeeding as it is healthy for both the mother and the child, adding that it helps to develops bonds between them.
She said the issue of breastfeeding is very important and cannot be overemphasized, and advised women to better breastfeed their children than feeding them with cow milks.
Representative, Board of Trustee, Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), South-East, Comrade Ngozi Mbah, said this while educating women on what is expected of them as lactating and expectant mothers, on Thursday, at New Heaven Health Centre and Maternity, Enugu.
She said: “The issue of breastfeeding is very important. We encourage the lactating and breastfeeding mothers that it is better you breastfeed your baby than using cow milk, no matter how expensive it is.
READ ALSO: NAWOJ Calls For Female Deputy Speaker, Says Inclusion Of Women In Leadership Fosters Innovation
“At the long run, exclusive breastfeeding will favour both the wives and the husbands as their children will grow up healthy and they will not spend much money in the hospitals.
“Advantages of breast milk is too much and cannot be over emphasized, a lot of sicknesses that take children to hospital will be avoided, the child will not only be healthy, but also looking healthy too.
“Breastfeedng is not the reason for sagging of breast. At a particular age, whether you breastfeed or not, your breast will sag. So what is the point in keeping yourself from breastfeeding your child, give your child what he needs most from you. Apart from your love, that breast milk is the most important thing that the child needs.
“Breastfeeding your child is that love you are showing to your child because you want that child to grow and become somebody.”
Also, she appealed to the government and private organizations to establish creche in their various establishments as it would help lactating mothers breastfeed their babies as and when due.
READ ALSO: Women’s Day: NAWOJ Chairperson Tasks Women On Digital Innovation
“We want to tell the government they need to help these women who are breastfeeding by creating crèches in their establishments even private establishments, where these women can keep their children and go to feed them as and when due,” she added.
Buttressing this, Comrade Ngozi Ngene, Chairperson NAWOJ, Enugu State, said breast milk is the best food for a baby, adding that it digests easily.
According to her, women doing exclusive breastfeeding from zero to six months will help them bond well with their baby, make the baby grow healthier, fight diseases like diarrhoea, allergies and also, makes the child’s brain to function very well.
Comrade Ngene also urged grandmothers to help their children do exclusive breastfeeding, stressing that exclusive breastfeeding is the best.
She said: “Exclusive breastfeeding is a business for all; it reduces cost for the mother and the family because, the breastfeeding they said, you eat well, you rest well, your breast will produce enough milk for the baby to grow healthier.
READ ALSO: Rights Group, NAWOJ Condemn Stripping Of Widow For Picking Snails In Enugu
“It is also a natural way for family planning. If you are going to be away from your child you make sure that you have enough breast milk stored. It can last for 4 hours in room temperatures, and can also last for 24 hours when stored in the fridge.”
On her part also, Mrs. Nwamaka, Assistant Officer in Charge (OIC), New Heaven Health Centre and Maternity, Enugu, said exclusive breastfeeding is the best and cheap in feeding children.
“After 6 months of exclusive breastfeeding, you have to introduce food to your children.
“Importance of exclusive breastfeeding is that it is cheap, the baby will be very intelligent, the baby will not always be sick, among others,” she added.