Oyo State Government says it is determined to achieve more than 50 per cent exclusive breastfeeding from nursing mothers by the end of 2017. Dr. Azeez Adeduntan, the state Commissioner for Health, spoke in Ibadan on the 2017 World Breastfeeding Week.
Adeduntan said that the state government would embark on sensitization to commemorate the week in the state.
The week is observed annually to ensure that children from ages 0-6 months are exclusively breastfed for the first six months of life.
Adeduntan said that the 50 per cent is in line with the provision of the National Strategic Plan on nutrition, adding that it would be achieved through the sensitization of nursing mothers.
According to him, a sensitization programme to enlighten nursing mothers on the benefits of breastfeeding will hold at the Oni and Sons Hospital.“It will hold at Adeoyo Hospital, Yemetu on Aug. 4, while that of Atiba and Oyo West hold on Monday, Aug. 7,” the commissioner said.
Adeduntan regretted that many pregnant women have lost their babies ignorantly to the use of unapproved herbal concoction and by predominantly giving them water.
He explained that the exclusive breastfeeding in the first six months of life and complementary diet till the first two years, played vital role in the development of a child.“Breast milk is a complete diet given to women by God and any baby that feeds on it will not likely get sick.
Less than 30 per cent of the mothers in the state engaged in exclusive breastfeeding.Over 70 per cent do not practice exclusive breastfeeding for their newborns in the first six months of life,” he said.
Adeduntan advised the mothers to embrace the practice of exclusive breastfeeding, saying that such would serve as a defend their babies against diseases.
He said that well-breastfed children would be mentally sound and grow well and healthy.