UNICEF cautions that infant nutrition and breastfeeding have a substantial impact on national development

The Nigerian government has been urged to develop laws that support breastfeeding by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).

The children’s charity recommended the government to make sure that these rules include the payment of paternity leave and maternity leave for six months, stressing that newborn nutrition has a substantial bearing on national development.

The UN agency also suggests flexible return-to-work choices, scheduled lactation breaks during working hours, and suitable facilities that allow mothers to exclusively breastfeed for an additional six months.

During a media discussion on World Breastfeeding Week that took place in Azare, Bauchi State, Dr Tushar Rena, the Chief of the Field Office, UNICEF, made the suggestion.

Along with establishing laws to support breastfeeding, the government and businesses “must provide the needed assistance for mothers and carers, including those in the informal sector or on temporary contracts to conveniently breastfeed, advised Dr. Rena.”

“Working parents and carers can meet the young children’s basic nutritional needs when they have enough paid leave,” he stated.

We are aware that good newborn feeding practises are essential for the development of human capital, while subpar infant and young child feeding (IYCF) practises pose serious threats to child survival and socioeconomic development.

He expressed concern that workplace barriers to breastfeeding are one of the main causes of early breastfeeding cessation and stated that women need enough time and support to breastfeed successfully.

Juggling tasks and breastfeeding may be practically impossible for busy women.

Rena urged media to keep bringing up the importance of baby nutrition and how it affects national development, noting that babies who are not exclusively breastfed are 14 times more likely to die before their first birthday than those who are.