Under the leadership of Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, the Nigerian government has mandated that nursing mothers have designated areas within public institutions and organizations where they can exclusively breastfeed their babies. Supporting exclusively breastfeeding mothers in Nigeria for six months is the aim of this project, particularly during World Breastfeeding Week in 2024. Prof. Pate emphasized that nursing is important for both the mother’s health and the child’s development.
In order to support working mothers, he also urged the Private Sector to introduce comparable policies in workplaces. Over the past 12 years, exclusive nursing rates have increased by 10% in Nigeria, benefiting 34% of newborns, according to Ms. Cristian Munduate, UNICEF’s Country Representative in Nigeria. Despite these advancements, obstacles still exist because of societal, cultural, and practical constraints. United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) emphasized the need for better support systems, including family-friendly employment laws, control over the marketing of breast milk substitutes, and funding for breastfeeding initiatives, in addition to the critical role that nursing plays in promoting lifetime health.
29% of children under six months old were exclusively breastfed.
The 2024 World Breastfeeding Week theme, “Closing the gap: Breastfeeding support for everyone,” emphasizes the necessity of increased assistance in order to lessen health disparities and safeguard the rights of expectant mothers and their babies. In 2018, the Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS) reported that 29% of children under six months old were exclusively breastfed, a notable increase from 17% in 2013. By 2025, the World Health Organization (WHO) hopes to reach a global goal of 50%.
By contrast, nations like Rwanda and Ghana have already surpassed the 50% threshold, with Rwanda attaining a remarkable 87% exclusive nursing rate. These figures highlight the necessity of Nigeria’s ongoing efforts to meet and exceed international goals. It’s clear that more regulations are required when contrasting Nigeria’s nursing policies with those of other nations. Nations such as Norway and Sweden impose strict laws on the marketing of breast milk substitutes and offer prolonged paid maternity leave.
Nigeria’s maternity leave program is not in line with health standards.
High rates of breastfeeding and better outcomes for the health of mothers and children are the results of these programs. Contrarily, Nigeria’s maternity leave program, which offers 12 weeks of paid leave, is not in line with health standards because it does not provide the full six months of exclusive nursing. The Nigerian government intends to encourage the business sector to take similar actions, enforce laws against the marketing of breast milk substitutes, and develop nursing facilities in public institutions as part of its breastfeeding-friendly policy.
Timelines and funding for these implementations, among other details, are still unknown. Clear criteria, sufficient financing, and frequent monitoring to evaluate compliance and effectiveness are necessary for success. Partnerships with global institutions such as UNICEF and World Health Organization (WHO) may offer both financial and technical support to further these efforts. Nigeria has many cultural and societal obstacles, such as the stigma attached to nursing in public and the notion that breast milk is insufficient for a baby’s development.
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To tackle these concerns, community-based approaches are necessary, like as educational initiatives to debunk misconceptions about breastfeeding and highlight its advantages. To change cultural attitudes and encourage more moms to breastfeed exclusively, it can be helpful to involve leaders in the community and Religion as advocates. In order to garner support from the public and legislators alike, a more forceful call to action is required. Enforcing workplace breastfeeding support, extending maternity leave, and funding breastfeeding promotion initiatives should be top priorities for policymakers. In the workplace, in public areas, or at home, the general public can help by fostering an environment that is supportive of nursing mothers. Nigeria can only enhance its women’ and children’s health outcomes and meet its breastfeeding targets by working together.