By Marie-Therese Nanlong

Jos – A Senior Registrar in the Paediatric Department of the Jos University Teaching Hospital, JUTH, Dr. Rita Ikwuni has asked that policymakers consider giving a six-month maternity leave to mothers to enable them to breastfeed their babies exclusively for the period.

The Paediatrician also advocated the provision of a mini creche in both public and private workplaces to make it easy for breastfeeding mothers working in such places to suckle their babies without exposing them to preventable childhood illnesses.

She stated the benefits of exclusive breastfeeding in the first six months enable babies to get all the nutrients needed for their growth and development, enhance the health of both mother and child as well as allow mothers to bond with their babies.

Addressing members of the Plateau State Chapter of the National Association of Women Journalists, NAWOJ, in Jos in an event to mark this year’s World Breastfeeding Week which has the theme: “Step Up For Breastfeeding: Educate & Support,” the medical personnel stressed breastfeeding mothers need all the support to raise healthy children through proper breastfeeding practice.

According to her, “Breastfeeding is a sustainable and natural option for infant feeding and helps ensure food security for babies across all populations. Exclusive Breastfeeding sets up a baby’s immune system. It also decreases their risk of many illnesses and decreases a mother’s risk of breast and ovarian cancer later in life. Exclusive breastfeeding is recommended for babies up to six months of age, parents can introduce solid foods with breastfeeding until 24 months of age.

“This strategy is aimed to improve the health, nutrition, and wellbeing of infants, young children, and mothers. The theme for this year’s celebration is apt, breastfeeding mothers need all the support hence, governments and business owners should consider extending the maternity leave for mothers, who gave birth, to six months to enable them exclusively breastfeed their babies…”

Earlier, the State Chairperson of NAWOJ, Nene Dung urged women to adhere to the advice and promote the habit of exclusively breastfeeding their babies even as she called on members who have stopped giving birth to encourage young mothers to breastfeed their babies given the immense benefits of exclusive breastfeeding.

It would be recalled that the week is marked each year from the 1st to the 7th of August.