As Nigeria joins the rest of the global community to celebrate Breastfeeding Week (1st to 7th August), Development Communications Network (Devcoms) has called on all stakeholders to create awareness on the benefits of breastfeeding to the child, mother, father and community to increase the rate of exclusive breastfeeding.
ln a statement to mark the Week, Devcoms also advocates for a conducive environment and support, including a child-friendly work environment, with a dedicated nursing room for nursing mothers, remains very important to make breastfeeding convenient and enjoyable,
“The 2018 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (2018 NDHS) states that child mortality accounts for 52% of all under-five deaths. The child mortality rate is 69 deaths per 1,000 children surviving to age 12 months, while the overall under-five mortality rate is 132 deaths per 1,000 live births. Fifty-one percent of all deaths among children under age five in Nigeria take place before a child’s first birthday, with 30% occurring during the first month of life. Poor infant feeding practices negatively affect the growth, health and development of children, and is a major cause of mortality in infants and young children.
