Health
SOME mothers and a caregiver in Lokoja are backing exclusive breastfeeding, describing breast milk as the safest and most affordable option for infants.
They spoke in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in commemoration of World Breastfeeding Week marked annually between Aug. 1 and Aug. 7.
NAN reports that the week aims to promote breastfeeding and improve the health and survival of children worldwide.
One of the mothers, who is also a civil servant, Mrs Blessing Kabo, described breast milk as God’s natural provision for newborns.
According to her, it contains all the nutrients required for healthy growth during the first six months.
“I will encourage every mother to breastfeed their newborn baby.
“Breast milk is one of the ways that God has provided for humans to nourish their newborn. It is what is required to feed babies,” she said.
Kabo noted that apart from mothers, who were medically unable to breastfeed, every mother should exclusively breastfeed her babies for at least six months.
According to her, exclusive breastfeeding means giving babies only breast milk without water, infant formula or any other food.
“It is always at the correct temperature, requires no preparation and is free. All that is required is that the mother eats healthy and lives healthy,” she said.
Kabo said she breastfed each of her three children for over one year.
She explained that she exclusively breastfed her babies for the first four months and continued for one year.
She, however, advised mothers to exclusively breastfeed for the first six months, saying, ‘’I now know better.’’
Another mother, Mrs Fatima Musa, described breast milk as very cost-effective and readily available for new babies and also strengthened the emotional bond between mother and child.
“The first milk, colostrum, is antibiotic. It safeguards the child from every form of sickness.
“It is not as if the child will not fall sick, but such children have fewer chances of getting ill or recover faster when they do,” she said.
Musa recalled that her first child, whom she breastfed for one year and six months, hardly got sick, compared to her other children who were breastfed for shorter periods.
She also highlighted the challenges associated with formula feeding, including the need to sterilise feeding bottles and prepare feeds hygienically.
“Breast milk is in the right consistency and always warm. It is just the best form of feeding,” she said.
Musa, however, expressed the view that babies could be given safe drinking water within the first six months, if properly treated or bottled water.
‘’Health authorities, including the World Health Organization, recommend exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months, without water, except where medically indicated, ‘’ she said.
A caregiver, Mr Bayo Akingbade, also underscored the benefits of breastfeeding, saying it gave babies a healthy start in life.
“Breastfeeding provides complete nutrition, strengthens a baby’s immune system, supports healthy growth and brain development, and creates a strong bond between mother and child,” he said.
He advised new mothers to be patient, maintain a healthy diet, drink enough water and seek professional support whenever breastfeeding became difficult.
“The most important thing is that the baby is healthy, loved and well cared for,” he added.
Another mother, who is also a trader, Mrs Aladi Precious, described breastfeeding as a natural practice that should be embraced by all mothers.
“Breastfeeding is natural and it is good to breastfeed babies.
“It develops their brain and gives them all the necessary nutrients for growth,” she said.
She said she breastfed her child for one year and six months and encouraged mothers not to deprive their babies of the nutrients breast milk provides.
“New mothers should not deny their babies the necessary nutrients, especially when the baby is newly born.
‘’Nurses advise us to immediately put the baby to the breast to get the first healthy milk,” she said.
World Breastfeeding Week is observed annually from Aug. 1 to Aug. 7 (NAN)
A.I
Aug. 3, 2026
Tags: Breastfeeding Mr Bayo Akingbade Mrs Aladi Precious Mrs Blessing Kabo Mrs Fatima Musa