Our Reporter
The Lagos State Government has charged breastfeeding mothers and pregnant women to support the state government’s advocacy on exclusive breastfeeding.
This advice was given by the Medical Director/CEO, the General Hospital, Ijede, Dr. Olufemi Aletan in commemoration of the year 2024 World Breastfeeding Week on Monday at the facility.
According to Dr. Aletan, the advocacy in the state on exclusive breastfeeding is the state government’s initiative through the office of the First Lady of Lagos State, Dr. (Mrs.) Claudiana Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu to continually encourage mothers’ and pregnant women on the importance and benefits of exclusive breastfeeding.
He informed that the state government has made it mandatory for civil servants to go on maternity leave for six months to breastfeed their babies adequately, noting that exclusive breastfeeding is an instinct that aids bonding between mother and baby.
The Medical Director stated further that a mother may not breastfeed her baby except on medical advice from a Medical Doctor or Physician. “On no occasion should you give your babies water, baby milk, except on medical grounds, and that is why the state government is advocating exclusive breastfeeding because of its numerous advantages”, he said.
Dr. Aletan revealed that exclusive breastfeeding prevents a woman from being diagnosed with breast cancer, helps the mother’s body heal appropriately and get back to its normal physiological state, is more economical, helps in the development of the intelligence quotient of the baby, aids bonding between mother and baby amongst other benefits.
The MD/CEO of the General Hospital, Ijede, however, implored mothers not to take exclusive breastfeeding for granted, noting that a healthy baby is a healthy society.
High point of the celebration was a Playlet and Quiz segment from the staff of the Hospital’s Paediatric Department.
Recall that every 1st-7th of August annually is recognised by the World Health Organization as World Breastfeeding Week and this year’s theme is “Closing The Gap: Breastfeeding Support For All”.
