The coordinator, of the state Baby Friendly Initiative Mrs Chinwe Chukwukere disclosed this yesterday to UNICEF media monitors in Owerri led by Dr. Adline Nkwam Uwaoma after visiting some local government areas who participated in marking the World Breastfeeding Week.
Chukwukere said that exclusive breastfeeding and consistent breastfeeding for two years and beyond provides high quality nutrients and adequate energy which can prevent hunger and malnutrition.
While highlighting some of the benefits of breastfeeding, she said that it helps to reduce maternal post partum, blood loss, breast cancer, ovarian cancer, endometric cancer among other things.
According to her breastfeeding acts as a contraception and child spacing device thereby reducing maternal risk of having pregnancies closely and suffering from anemia.
She explained that the yellowish breast milk is the first immunization babies receive which helps to pass out the black faeces adding that if allowed to dry in the babies’ stomach it would cause jaundice.
