By Eunice Nnachi, Yenagoa
As the world marks the 2025 World Breastfeeding Week, mothers across Bayelsa State—particularly members of the Living Faith Church (Winners Chapel) in Swali and other congregations—have been urged to introduce breastfeeding within the first 60 minutes of a child’s life to maximize its health benefits.
The call was made by Mrs. Ogriki Izonbode, Reproductive Health Coordinator in the Bayelsa State Ministry of Health, during a sensitisation session organised by the State Primary Health Care Board in collaboration with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).
Speaking to a gathering of women, health workers, and community members, Izonbode underscored that early initiation of breastfeeding not only strengthens the bond between mother and child but also delivers vital nutrients and antibodies that shield newborns from life-threatening illnesses.
“Breastfeeding within the first hour after birth is a lifesaving intervention,” Izonbode stressed. “It boosts immunity, prevents infections, and lays the foundation for healthy growth and development.”
She explained that exclusive breastfeeding—feeding infants only breast milk, without water or other supplements—for the first six months significantly reduces infant mortality, supports brain development, and enhances long-term health.
Practical Lessons for Nursing Mothers
Participants were educated on correct breastfeeding techniques, the dangers of giving newborns water or other feeds too early, and the critical role of family members in supporting mothers to succeed in breastfeeding.
For babies, Izonbode noted, the benefits include:
Stronger immunity: Breast milk is rich in antibodies that protect against infections.
Healthy growth and brain development: It provides all essential nutrients in perfect proportions.
For mothers, the advantages are equally significant:
Faster postpartum recovery: Breastfeeding helps the uterus return to normal size and reduces postpartum bleeding.
Lower health risks: It reduces the likelihood of breast and ovarian cancers and aids in natural child spacing.
UNICEF Commends Maternity Leave Progress
In a related development, Mrs. Juliet Chiluwe, UNICEF’s Chief Field Officer at the Enugu Zonal Office, commended 10 Nigerian states—Lagos, Kwara, Ekiti, Oyo, Cross River, Kaduna, Niger, Ondo, Enugu, and Plateau—for extending maternity leave for mothers in public service to six months.
She made the remarks during a two-day virtual Multi-Zonal Media Dialogue on the 2025 World Breastfeeding Week, jointly organised by UNICEF and the Broadcasting Corporation of Abia (BCA).
Chiluwe hailed these states for showing leadership in promoting exclusive breastfeeding, noting that over 90% of Nigerian mothers already breastfeed. She called on the media to help eliminate harmful myths and promote accurate information about breastfeeding.
“Breastfeeding is more than nourishment—it builds immunity, strengthens bonding, and plays a vital role in reducing malnutrition and disease in children,” she said.
She urged a united front among governments, families, religious leaders, and civil society to create supportive environments for mothers both at home and in workplaces.
The Media’s Crucial Role
Speaking during the dialogue, Dr. Hillary Ozoh, Social Behaviour Change Specialist at UNICEF, urged media organisations to treat breastfeeding advocacy with the same urgency and visibility given to sports.
He encouraged journalists and broadcasters to produce engaging content that normalises and celebrates exclusive breastfeeding, debunking cultural misconceptions that hinder early initiation.
“We must keep breastfeeding in the public conversation until it becomes a universally supported practice,” Ozoh stated.
Dr. Ijeoma Onuoha-Ogwe, UNICEF’s Communication Officer in Enugu, explained that the goal of the programme was to ensure robust media engagement on the theme “Prioritise Breastfeeding: Create Sustainable Support Systems.”
She noted that despite progress, Nigeria’s breastfeeding indicators have stagnated. Citing the Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS), she revealed that early initiation rates declined from 42% in 2018 to 36% in 2023, while exclusive breastfeeding rates remained at 29% in both years.
“These figures show we have work to do. Breastfeeding is proven to save lives, yet too many mothers face challenges that force them to stop early,” she said.
The Cultural and Religious Connection
In Bayelsa, religious gatherings are emerging as powerful platforms for public health education. By delivering breastfeeding messages during church services, health advocates hope to reach not only mothers but also fathers, grandparents, and community influencers who often shape child-rearing practices.
Mrs. Izonbode’s outreach at the Winners Chapel, Swali, drew enthusiastic participation, with mothers asking questions about latching difficulties, milk supply concerns, and how to combine breastfeeding with work commitments.
She emphasised that breastfeeding support must be collective—including employers granting flexible work arrangements, husbands assisting with household duties, and community elders reinforcing the message.
Global and Local Significance
Globally, the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends breastfeeding within the first hour of life and exclusively for the first six months, followed by continued breastfeeding along with complementary foods for up to two years or more.
In Nigeria, malnutrition remains a leading cause of child mortality, making breastfeeding a critical tool in improving survival rates. According to UNICEF, optimal breastfeeding could prevent 823,000 child deaths globally each year.
Bayelsa, with its riverine communities and pockets of hard-to-reach populations, faces unique challenges—ranging from cultural myths that water is necessary for newborns to the lack of skilled birth attendants in rural areas.
Voices from the Ground
Mrs. Beauty Preye, a mother of two who attended the Swali session, shared her experience:
“With my first child, I didn’t know the importance of starting breastfeeding immediately. But now I’ve learnt that those first drops—colostrum—are like a baby’s first vaccine. I will tell other women in my community.”
Pastor Samuel Ekiye, representing the Living Faith Church, pledged continued collaboration with health authorities:
“We are committed to using our pulpit to share this life-saving message. Healthy children mean healthy families, and that strengthens the church and community.”
The Way Forward
Stakeholders agree that achieving Nigeria’s breastfeeding goals will require:
Policy enforcement: Ensuring maternity leave laws are implemented in all sectors.
Workplace support: Providing breastfeeding breaks and nursing rooms.
Community engagement: Using churches, markets, and media to counter myths.
Training health workers: Equipping them to counsel mothers effectively.
As Mr. Francis Nwubani, Director General of BCA, aptly summarised:
“World Breastfeeding Week reminds us that the journey doesn’t end with awareness—it’s about sustained, practical support for mothers.”
In Bayelsa and across Nigeria, the message is clear: breastfeeding saves lives, and it takes a village—families, workplaces, religious bodies, media, and government—to make it work.
With the renewed push from health officials, UNICEF, and faith-based institutions, mothers are not just being told to breastfeed—they are being empowered to do so with knowledge, confidence, and community backing.
