Breastfeeding: CMD calls for supportive work environment for breastfeeding mothers
The University of Abuja Teaching Hospital (UTAH) has called on Government at all levels to make sustainable policies that would ensure supportive environment for effective breastfeeding for mothers in work places.
The Acting Chief Medical Director (CMD), Asso. Prof. Bob Ukonu made the call at the 2025 annual World Breastfeeding Week from Aug. 1-7 on Thursday in Gwagwalada.
The 2025 World breastfeeding week has its theme as: "Prioritise Breastfeeding: Creating sustainable Support System."
Ukonu, represented by the Acting Director, Administration, UATH, Nwaka Constantine said exclusive breastfeeding still remains the best for babies from zero to six months of birth.
He emphasised on the importance of supporting breastfeeding mothers both in the work places and the community for effective breastfeeding. "They are supposed to breastfeed every two hours," he said.
Experts Weigh In
Similarly, Dr Olapeju Daniyan, Consultant Pediatrician, UATH, said it was important to priorities breastfeeding and create a supportive system that was sustainable.
Daniyan said that everyone has a role to play in supporting breastfeeding, adding that it has important role to play in a baby's growth and survival in the early years.
She urged the government to make policies to support women especially working mothers, adding that work places should have a convenient room for breastfeeding. According to her, working breastfeeding mothers should be supported by their colleagues and breastfeeding should be seen as a culture.
"Exclusive breastfeeding has both early and long term benefits, adding that one of the long term benefits was the children not being obese or overweight."
On her part, Dr Olapeju Kudirat, Consultant Neurologist and also in charge of Newborn Special Care Body Unit, UATH, said exclusive breastfeeding was the best for the child, family, community and the nation at large because of its several benefits.
Kudirat said that mothers should avoid sugary foods while transitioning, adding that breast milk was tasteless like coconut water and exclusively breastfed babies do not like sugary foods.
Dr Agbadi Eleojo, Senior Registrar, Paediatrics said that the importance of exclusive breastfeeding could not be overemphasised, saying that it helps protect babies from infections, helps the brain perform well, help healthy growth and reduce hospital visit.
Eleojo said that breast milk has everything a child needs to grow and the first six months should be only breast no other things including water. She dispell the myth that breast milk was not sufficient for some babies the reason some of them cry always.
The Public Relations Unit reports that the highlights of the event was a possession round the hospital and presentation of gifts to the most healthy exclusively breastfed babies. Also presentation of gifts such as baby diapers to all the babies present.