From Maurice Okafor, Enugu.
Consistently,UNICEF has emphasised time wiithout numbers the imperatives of breast feeding every child with only breast milk for the first six months after birth for the first six months. after birth.
The international organisation basically known for it’s special care for children working with experts and nutritionists have proved beyond every reasonable doubt that exclusive breast milk contains all the nutrients and maximum quantity of water that every new born requires for a healthy growth,as such that any supplement including pure drinking water at that stage is to the contrary.
Research findings proved that breast feeding provides vital health and nutritional benefits for children with positive life long impacts,building healthier populations and workforce for the future.
To achieve it’s targeted global goal of zero water exclusive breast feeding objective, UNICEF is currently advocating for the provision of enabling environment for all nursing mothers both in the formal and informal sector that will enable them live up to the parental obligation of zero water exclusive breast feeding for their new borns up to six months.
The vital need of ensuring that the larger society especially in this part of the globe imbibe the culture of assisting nursing mothers with the wherewithals to offer only undiluted breast milk to their new borns for the first six months after birth was the reason of the 2023 zonal media dialogue for select group of Journalists from Enugu,Benue,Cross River and Anambra states to mark the 2023 World Breast feeding Week(WBW).
The two day event which was held at Oakland hotels Enugu,was packaged by UNICEF in collaboration with Anambra state government from 27th to 28th July,2023.
The Anambra state governor,Professor Charles Soludo commended UNICEF for their efforts in championing the cause of women and children in most of their activities.
Governor Soludo who was represented by the executive secretary/chief executive officer,Anambra state primary health care development agency,Mrs Chisom Uchem, promised to support UNICEF further in several other activities relating to women and children,for a healthy society.
The Communication Officer,UNICEF Enugu field office,Dr (Mrs) Ijeoma Onuoha Igwe, described the media as a very good channel of advocacy and commended the journalists for being proactive in diseminating UNICEF activities.
According to UNICEF,”Making breast feeding at work,work makes societies work”
Giving an overview of the theme,Enabling breast feeding: Making a difference for working parents, ‘Mrs Ngozi Onuora,Nutrition Specialist,UNICEF Field Office,Enugu, emphasised that infant feeding is essential for children survival, healthy growth, development and is a panacea for human capital development. She buttressed that the breast milk alone contains all the nutrients and quantity of water that facilitates healthy growth and well being of every child for the first six months starting from birth,stating additional water and substitutes can follow after the six months. The pertinent need to change the narratives among nursing mothers especially the working class category and to let the society reason along with them is geared towards achieving a healthier nation.
Other health experts who spoke at the sessions gave deeper reflections that the breast milk is a natural gift common with every nursing mother after delivery. Thar what is assumed as a deficiency among some nursing mothers often arose from the wrong positioning or sitting of the mother, which undermines the effective sucking by the child.
The experts further emphasised that a mother who gave birth to twins or triplets can still take all on exclusive breast feeding for six months,once she feeds adequately and supported with care givers,she deserves.
The dialogue resolved that nursing mothers deserve all the attention and support to feed their babies with only breast milk for the first six months. To effect, Employers of labour were tasked to provide creche and spaces that will enable nursing mothers to breast feed their babies while at work.
The dialogue also advocated for guaranteed emoluments and work free excuse duty for every nursing mother for six months, to enable them breast feed their babies exclusively with breast milk for six months.
Devising strategies using adequate media channels, advocacy visits especially to the rural areas, public enlightements,engagementds with relevant stakeholders, nursing and up coming nursing mothers etc on the vitality of zero water exclusive breast feeding as part of activities of 2023 World Breast feeding Week(WBW) is seen as a noble obligation for the journalists and every other sector with capability to influence the society,as part of activities marking the 2023 World Breast feeding Week.
