An official of the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), has revealed that breastfeeding prevents breast and ovarian cancer.
Mother breastfeeding her baby
Breastfeeding protect women by decreasing their risk of developing
breast, ovarian cancer and diabetes, an official of the United Nations
Children’s Fund (UNICEF), has said
Dr Stanley Nanama, UNICEF Chief of Nutrition, made the disclosure
on Tuesday in Abuja at the flag-off of World Breast Feeding Week with
the theme “Sustaining breastfeeding together’’
This year’s celebration of breast feeding week coincided with the inauguration of Breastfeeding Advocacy Initiative (BAI).
Nanama, who described the theme as `apt,’ stressed the need for the
government and development partners to highlight the importance of
breastfeeding in child health and survival interventions.
He said that the week provides the government, donor agencies among
other stakeholders, the opportunity to reflect on how to improve
breastfeeding practices in Nigeria.
The nutritionist said that breastfeeding does not only reduce the
risk of cancer among mothers, but also helps to fast track reduction of
excess fat from mothers after delivery.
He added that breastfeeding also contribute to the economic development of the nation.
“Breastfeeding affords mothers good health; protect them by
decreasing the risk of breast and ovarian cancer and diabetes among
other health challenges.
“ Beyond the individual breastfeeding benefits, the country
will also benefit from improving breastfeeding practices through
increase educational attainment which optimally contributes to boost
productivity,’’ he said.
The nutritionist expressed concern that eight out 10 infants of
less than six months in Nigeria were not exclusively breastfed, adding
that this had contributed to the burden of malnutrition in the country.
Nanama explained that children who are not exclusively breastfed
are denied the benefits of breastfeeding which included healthcare start
in life, reinforced human system.
According to him, breast milk provides antibodies and healthy growth and the development required by children.
The UNICEF official, who identified children as the future of the
country, said the best legacy Nigeria could live for a better country
tomorrow was to invest in interventions that promote breastfeeding.
“UNICEF has been providing technical and financial support to
the government to scale up nutrition in general, especially maternal,
infants and young child feeding.
“The practice that ensures children gets the appropriate food
provided in a timely manner including breastfeeding to reduce
malnutrition.
“UNICEF works with the government at the state and federal level to develop Infant and Young Child Feeding Policy.
“ It is also working with communities to remove barriers and support mothers to successfully breastfeed their children.
“We call on the government and other stakeholders to strengthen
and reinforce code of marketing of breast milk substitute to protect
children against diseases.
“We also urge them to strengthen policy provision that support
maternity leave and breastfeeding in work places to encourage nursing
mothers to breastfeed their babies,’’ he said.
On the inauguration of BAI, Nanama said it was aimed at raising
visibility of breastfeeding as the foundation of child survival; help in
its development as well as its benefits for the mother’s health.
According to him, BAI is also geared toward ensuring new financial
resources for national breastfeeding programmes and supportive policy as
well as strengthening political commitment.
The world breastfeeding week is marked annually from Aug. 1 to 7 to
raise awareness on the benefits of breastfeeding to the child among
others.
-NAN
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