The UNICEF Maiduguri Chief of Field Officer, Phuong Nguyen has advocated for a six-month paid leave to facilitate exclusive breastfeeding of children in a friendly environment. According to her, breast milk is a complete, inexpensive, and readily available food and nutrition with great benefits for children, women, and the nation. Nguyen made the call Saturday in Maiduguri, while flagging off the 2021 World Breastfeeding Promotion Week to protect breastfeeding children in Maiduguri, the Borno state capital. She said: “The turnout today leaves no one in doubt to the significance of this occasion that breastfeeding is a lifeline for millions of our children. “Supporting new mothers to breast feed exclusively for six months is the best method of child nutrition in these critical times.”
She further disclosed that breast milk contains antibodies that boost the immunity of children. She added that breast milk is also an important indicator of short and long-term health benefits for children. According to her, research has indicated that children who receive exclusive breastfeeding for at least six months have a higher brain power. She noted that besides the brain power, breast fed children have strong reasoning ability with high immunity to fight the six-child killer diseases. “This is a shared responsibility of all stakeholders and governments to provide a friendly environment for women to support children,” she said.
The UNICEF chief said the friendly environment and child support are the most critical stages of their lives. On the dividends of breastfeeding; Nguyen declared: “Investments by families, communities and governments in healthcare, protection and education of children pay the most dividends for children exclusively breastfed for at least six months.” The survival and development rates; according to her; are higher for children in this age group.
Continuing, she added: “We must promote breastfeeding practices and get more children exclusively on breast milk for at least six months,” stating that the state government and private sector are to ensure the survival of conflict affected children in the state. She said besides the exclusive breastfeeding, there must be improvements on existing childcare policies in the private and public sectors. “Despite COVID-19 pandemic with increased food insecurity and dwindling incomes; households must look inwards by investing in breast milk substitutes,” warning that resources of families are being depleted while they are struggling to survive.
