Towards observing the 2024 World Breastfeeding Week, the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare in collaboration with its Health partners and Stakeholders will join the rest of the world to celebrate the week from the 1st to 7th August, 2024.
A statement issued on Monday by the Director, Press & Public Relations, FMOH, Patricia Deworitshe, noted that the World Breastfeeding Week is a yearly global campaign instituted to raise awareness on the health and wellbeing outcomes of breastfeeding, on infants, young children mothers, families and society at large.
The global theme for this year’s World Breastfeeding Week, it said, is ‘Closing the Gap, Breastfeeding Support for All’
The statement said "The theme emphasizes the collective responsibility of all, to ensure that every mother receives the support she needs to make breastfeeding a successful and fulfilling experience.
"In order to successfully breastfeed their babies, mothers need support from the health system, family members, community members and workplace. This support is critical to the success of breastfeeding because knowledge sharing, encouragement, support with household chores, call-ups and creation of an enabling environment makes the act of breastfeeding easier for the mother.
"It is essential that no-one is left behind especially vulnerable mothers who may need additional assistance to reduce breastfeeding inequalities. Women in all settings need and deserve support to optimally breastfeed their babies.
"Hence, the Ministry has dedicated 1st to 7th August, 2024 to celebrate the week long event with a series of planned activities."
The week, it said, will be flagged-off on the 1st August with a record breaking event for most lactating women breastfeeding simultaneously, which will be followed by community outreaches, training of health workers, media campaign, among others.
"The Ministry also recommends early initiation of breastfeeding within an hour of birth, exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life, continued breastfeeding up to two years of age or beyond, with the introduction of appropriate complementary food as from six months."
The Ministry also reminded the general public that breastfeeding provides many unmatched proven health benefits for babies and mothers, as well as potential economic benefits for households and communities.
It said that Breastfed babies have stronger immunity, reduced risk of infections and many childhood illnesses.
Declaring that Breastmilk is the ideal food for infants, the statement said it is readily available, cheap, safe, clean and gives the first form of protection against many common childhood illnesses.
"Breastmilk provides all the energy and nutrients that the child needs for the first six months of life, and it continues to provide up to half or more of a child’s nutritional needs during the second half of the first year, and up to one third during the second year of life.
"It is no doubt that breastfeeding is important both to the mother and the child, a practice that all fathers, family members and society should support without fail.
"The Ministry therefore urges all citizens to support mothers to practice optimal breastfeeding as you join us to celebrate the week and support all mothers to breastfeed as recommended. Your support contributes to our nation’s health, economy and future workforce." it stated