Mr Olushola Malomo, Chief Dietitian at Ajeromi General Hospital in Lagos, has urged stakeholders to establish breastfeeding-friendly environments and support systems to empower mothers to nurse their infants.
In an interview on Tuesday, to mark World Breastfeeding Week (WBW) 2025, observed from August 1 to 7, Malomo highlighted the theme “Prioritise Breastfeeding: Create Sustainable Support Systems.”
He described breast milk as a “superpower” that nurtures, protects, and fosters a bond between mother and child, stressing the need for safe breastfeeding spaces at home, workplaces, and public centres.
Malomo outlined breast milk’s benefits for infants, including optimal nutrition, immune protection through antibodies like immunoglobulin A, reduced illness risk, and enhanced cognitive development.
“Breastfeeding fosters a deep emotional connection between mother and child and improves the brain development of the child,” he said.
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He also noted benefits for mothers, such as uterine contraction to pre-pregnancy size and reduced postpartum bleeding.
Citing a concerning statistic, Malomo pointed out that only 29 percent of Nigerian infants under six months are exclusively breastfed, calling for urgent action to improve this rate.
He advocated for exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months, followed by continued breastfeeding with complementary foods up to two years, as recommended by the World Health Organisation.
To support this, Malomo called for increased awareness to involve fathers and extended family in childcare and household duties.
He also urged employers to provide flexible schedules, part-time work, and telecommuting options for nursing mothers while engaging human resources teams to promote breastfeeding rights and supportive workplace practices.
“The 2025 WBW is a powerful reminder of the life-changing benefits of breastfeeding for both mother and child,” he said.