Lagos to crown male, female breastfeeding champions

Barely three weeks after it introduced paternity leave for male civil servants in the state, the Lagos State Government, yesterday, said it would crown male and female as breastfeeding champions next month, as part of efforts to encourage breastfeeding culture among nursing mothers and fathers.

It decried poor attitude of most nursing mothers in Nigeria towards exclusive breastfeeding, lamenting that such action portends danger for the children and their mothers.

Briefing journalists on the activities lined up for the 2014 World Breastfeeding Week Celebration at the state secretariat, Alausa, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Public Health, who made the disclosure, said that although, the National Exclusive Rate improved from 13% in 2008 to 15% in 201, the National Health Survey showed that breastfeeding rate is still very low.

According to her, the current trend in under five nutritional status in Nigeria, with particular reference to the south west region of Nigeria where Lagos belongs, is of stunting rate of 41 percent in 2008 and 37 percent in 2013.

She added: "Wasting rate at 14 percent in 2008 and 18 percent in 2013 and underweight statistic at 24 percent in 2008 and 29 percent in 2013 (NDHA), is an indication of increased malnutrition among under 5. This is largely caused by inadequate complementary feeding from baby's 6 months of age."
She reiterated that breastfeeding,  particularly with early initiation; within 30 minutes of delivery and exclusive breastfeeding without water or any other drink, is the most ideal infant feeding option for every new born as colostrum; the first milk from the mother is the baby’s first immunization.
 Adeshina noted that World Alliance for Breastfeeding Actions (WABA), has considered that everyone in the world should identify one way or the other, to protect and encourage every breastfeeding mother for an effective and pleasant breastfeeding experience, stressing that everybody should all be committed to promoting exclusive breastfeeding, during which, nothing except the mother’s breast milk is introduced to the mouth of the baby as a child survival intervention that is unequalled.

On crowning of the breastfeeding champions, the Special Adviser added that the activities of the Community Health & Nutrition (CH&N) Link, which is also known as ‘Malnutrition trackers’ would be assessed for the selection of outstanding CH&N Link while awards for both categories will be presented at the grand finale of the week-long celebration.

She added: “Our traditional grand finale is tentatively scheduled for September, 11, 2014,  during which State Breastfeeding Champions; Male & Female, selected from among the 57 LGAs and LCDAs champions will be crowned. The selection criteria of the state Champions will include among others, knowledge of breastfeeding issues, with emphases on early initiation, exclusive breastfeeding, and appropriate positioning and attachment to breastfeeding as effectively demonstrated by mothers.”
 She appealed to everyone to commit to supporting and protecting every breastfeeding mother they are opportune to come in contact with, to encourage every young adult and aspiring parent to choose early initiation and exclusive breastfeeding for their children.
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