1 August 2008 | Abuja - The Nigerian Minister of Health, Dr Hassan Muhammad Lawal, formally opened the country’s activities commemorating World Breastfeeding Week with a call for more support and empowerment for mothers to encourage breastfeeding. Noting its benefits he said, ‘the first suckle marks the beginning of the human stimuli and response process that is important for the survival and development of every human being’ adding that ‘breastfeeding enables babies to exhibit remarkable capabilities that last a lifetime’.

In a 'baby friendly’ setting in the conference room at the Federal Ministry of Health, mothers gathered with their new offspring to witness the launching and support the event with songs. Some babies, perhaps calling for some breastmilk, contributed noisily to the lively atmosphere.

Dr Peter, Eriki, country representative of WHO delivered a goodwill message at the occasion. He pointed out that virtually all mothers can breastfeed provided they have accurate information and the support of their families and communities as well as the healthcare system. He said ‘mothers need support not only to begin breastfeeding in the first one hour of birth but also to sustain it’. Breastfeeding counselling has been shown to provide valuable support and improve breastfeeding practices and in this regard he explained that WHO and UNICEF have developed a range of infant and young child feeding counselling courses for health workers and community counsellors.

Dr Eriki also congratulated the FMoH on its adoption of the Integrated Maternal, Newborn and Child Health Strategy and enforcement of the International Code on Marketing of Breast Milk substitutes.

Prof Frank Onyezile, Team Leader, Child Nutrition, delivered a goodwill message on behalf of UNICEF. He lamented the levels of malnutrition in Nigeria and recommended that authorities focus on creating awareness of ‘the need for, and value of, support for breastfeeding mothers’. He also suggested the use of ante-natal clinics as a forum for bringing together families, opinion leaders and community members to address issues such as some of the misconceptions surrounding the practice.

Prof Dora Akunyili, the Director General of the National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) echoed the comments on the benefits of breastfeeding to both mother and child and reminded the audience that a new mother’s ability to successfully breastfeed her infant can be affected by the policies and practices of the hospital in which she delivers her baby. She urged the Dr Lawal to encourage hospitals to give more support at this crucial time.

Prof Akunyili also remarked, ‘The promotion of breastmilk substitutes by infant food manufacturers is a major concern as this negates the efforts of Government’ and cautioned mothers on sharp marketing practices such as gifts of free milk substitute to tempt them to stop breastfeeding.

The theme of this year’s campaign is Mother Support, Going for the Gold and during the meeting the importance of support from family, community and the authorities to encourage mothers was repeatedly emphasised. The aim is to encourage exclusive breastfeeding for six months, followed by breastfeeding augmented by complementary foods for up to two years or beyond. The Honourable Minister said, ‘the Federal government is not resting on its oars’ and explained plans to establish at least one breast feeding support group center per local government area in the country by 2015. The Ministry has also produced a handbook entitled HIV and infant feeding to assist HIV positive mothers in making informed decisions on feeding.

Sound healthcare advice came from the President General of the Abuja Market Women's Association, who reminded all of the importance of a healthy diet, the ingredients for which can be cheaply obtained from the market, rather than a reliance on fast food. She also stressed the importance of cleanliness saying, ‘poverty is no excuse for dirtiness and poor hygiene.’

A lively discussion formed the final part of the occasion with warnings about fake baby milk substitutes and mothers being urged to concern themselves with the health of the child and not worry about their figures.

As breastfeeding week takes off in Nigeria, the message to everyone is ‘support the mothers’ and the message to all mothers – captured so tunefully by the singers in the audience was - ‘Mother give me your breastmilk, if you give me your breastmilk I will grow up to be strong’.