SCI, NGF seek breastfeeding-friendly environments for families

Save the Children International (SCI) and the Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF) have called on government at all levels, captains of industries, workplaces,  community gatekeepers and other stakeholders to promote and support breastfeeding-friendly environments for lactating mothers and their babies in the post-pandemic era. 

In a statement, released on Wednesday to mark this year’s World Breastfeeding Week, they said breast milk is a natural, free, accessible and rich nutritious source of all valuable nutrients that save lives, and serves as a vaccine.

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A Save the Children report indicated that if breastfeeding were adopted at close to universal levels, in low-and middle-income countries, 823,000 child deaths could be prevented each year. 

Director-General, NGF Secretariat, Asishana Bayo Okauru, said his organisation had been in support of the full boarding of health and medical facilities at workplaces.

Famari Barro, Country Director, Save the Children International, Nigeria, said proper education of mothers and their caregivers/support systems on the benefits of exclusive breastfeeding could encourage them to practice it. 

“All health workers, including health professionals and lay health workers, who come into contact with women, infants and families must be adequately trained to provide evidence-based breastfeeding support”, Barro said.