Muhammad Garba
An international donor partner, Save the Children has called on government, private organizations and the public to support rigorous awareness campaign for optimal exclusive breastfeeding practice to tackle high rate of child mortality in Nigeria.
This was contained in a press statement signed by the Communication Manager, Mr Kunle Olawoyin as part of commemoration of “World Breastfeeding Day” and made available to Stallion Times.
According to the statement, exclusive breastfeeding is the best source of nourishment for infants and young children, and a proven lifesaving strategy that helps protect children against several common child illness and killer diseases.
Save the children maintained that, exclusive breastfeeding is one of the cost-effective interventions for the prevention of child malnutrition, diarrhea, pneumonia and other related disease that kill children or caused them permanent disability.
The statement added that, there is need to encourage lactating mothers to immediately after delivery breastfeed their children as the first milk of a mother produces, is the most potent natural immune system booster.
“Breastfeeding is the first and significant step in ensuring the cognitive development of children”
“We are also calling for effective protection of mothers as the first 1,000 days of a child’s life, (starting from conception to age 2) are very important for optimal physical, mental and cognitive growth, health and development of the child ” The statement declared
The theme of this year’s celebration is “Protect Breastfeeding, a shared responsibility” with the slogan for Nigeria, “Join Hands! Support Exclusive Breastfeeding.”
