Breastfeeding mothers in Kwara State have been cautioned against giving their babies Zam Zam water, holy water from Christian religious homes, or herbal mixture drinks within the first six months of life.

Speaking at an event commemorating World Breastfeeding Week in Ilorin, the State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Amina El-Imam, urged mothers to practise exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months, followed by continued breastfeeding up to two years and beyond. She noted that this approach has been proven to foster healthy physical, emotional, and intellectual development.

“Breastfeeding remains one of the most effective ways to ensure infant health and survival. Breast milk provides the perfect mix of nutrients, strengthens babies’ immune systems, reduces the risk of infection, and lays the foundation for lifelong well-being,” she said.

Dr. El-Imam acknowledged the progress made by the state government but stressed that much more needs to be done.

She said, “Data across Nigeria remind us that only a portion of infants receive the full benefits of exclusive breastfeeding. We must intensify our efforts to meet national and global targets for improved breastfeeding rates.”

According to the 2023 National Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS), only 36% of newborns in Nigeria are breastfed within the first hour of birth, and just 29% of infants are exclusively breastfed for the first six months of life. “These figures are a clear reminder of the need for heightened awareness, stronger community engagement, and collaborative action from all stakeholders,” she added.

The commissioner noted that many mothers still face challenges such as lack of awareness, misinformation, social pressures, and workplace constraints, which often hinder successful breastfeeding.

“That is why Kwara State is committed to supporting, promoting, and sustaining breastfeeding through policies such as six-month maternity leave for breastfeeding mothers,” she said.

The UNICEF Country Representative, represented by Chinwe Ezeife, Nutrition Specialist at the UNICEF Kaduna Field Office, expressed concern that many Nigerian babies are weaned too early, despite recommendations by UNICEF and the World Health Organization (WHO) to continue breastfeeding for at least 24 months.

She stated that early initiation of breastfeeding has declined from 42% in 2018 to 36% in 2023, while exclusive breastfeeding rates have stagnated at 29% during the same period (NDHS).

“Only one in three babies receives breast milk in the first hour after birth (36%), and only one in three is exclusively breastfed for up to six months,” she said.

The UNICEF official added that World Breastfeeding Week, observed from August 1–7, is a vital opportunity to highlight breastfeeding as a cornerstone of child survival, growth, and healthy development.

The theme for 2025, “Prioritize Breastfeeding: Create Sustainable Support Systems,” underscores the urgent need to build lasting systems that enable mothers to breastfeed successfully—whether at home, in healthcare settings, in workplaces, or within their communities. (Nigerian Tribune)