By Reborn Jude | National News
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has urged employers, healthcare workers, families and communities across South-west Nigeria to work together in supporting breastfeeding mothers, saying collective efforts are crucial to increasing exclusive breastfeeding rates and improving child survival.
The appeal was made by the Chief of UNICEF Field Office in Lagos, Celine Lafoucriere, at the commencement of the 2026 World Breastfeeding Week.
Lafoucriere noted that although breastfeeding is widely practiced in Nigeria, many mothers do not follow the recommended guidelines for exclusive breastfeeding.
She described breast milk as a baby’s first vaccine, explaining that it protects infants against life-threatening diseases, supports healthy brain development and provides the best nutrition during the early stages of life at no financial cost.
According to her, only one in three babies in Nigeria is breastfed within the first hour after birth, while just three out of every 10 infants are exclusively breastfed for the first six months without water, infant formula or other foods.
She observed that South-west Nigeria has the capacity to significantly improve these figures because of its expanding healthcare system and growing population of working mothers.
Lafoucriere stressed that breastfeeding should not be viewed as the sole responsibility of mothers, insisting that they require support from employers, healthcare providers and family members to successfully practice exclusive breastfeeding.
She called on employers to establish breastfeeding-friendly workplaces by providing adequate maternity support, flexible schedules and private spaces for nursing mothers.
The UNICEF official also urged healthcare workers to promote accurate information on infant feeding and discourage misleading marketing of breast milk substitutes.
She encouraged fathers, grandmothers, mothers-in-law, religious leaders and other family members to provide emotional and practical support to breastfeeding mothers.
Lafoucriere further appealed to health workers to ensure that every newborn is breastfed within the first hour after delivery, describing the practice as vital for improving newborn survival and long-term health.
Speaking directly to nursing mothers, she acknowledged their dedication and sacrifices in caring for their children.
“To every mother feeding her child, especially during the quiet hours of the night, we recognise your commitment. You are giving your baby the best possible start in life,” she said.
She reaffirmed UNICEF’s commitment to working with governments and partners to create an environment that enables mothers to breastfeed successfully and improve child nutrition across Nigeria.
