Giving babies breast milk exclusively for the first six months comes with great benefits for both mother and child.This was the submission of Dr. Mrs Aderade Ijogun, Medical Director/CEO, General Hospital, Isolo, Lagos, as the hospital officially marked its World Breastfeeding Week, recently.
Addressing an audience that comprised expectant mothers, nursing mothers as well as some fathers, Dr. Aderade said “Aside helping the infant to develop strong immunity, which helps him combat sundry diseases, exclusive breastfeeding gives the child a slight edge intellectually and establishes strong bonding between the child and the mother, thereby enhancing parental sympathy, which is vital as the mother ages.”
Expatiating further on the importance of breast milk to the baby, Paediatric Nurse Assistant, Chief Nursing Officer (ACNO) Mrs Olaide Arubayi, said: “Breast milk is free, readily available and contains vital nutrients and vitamins like Vitamins A, B and K”, necessary for a baby’s healthy growth and immunity. It also helps the child develop high intelligence quotient and helps prevent ovarian and breast cancer in the mother.”
Delivering a lecture to disabuse some fallacies associated with exclusive breastfeeding, a consultant paediatrician with the hospital who pleaded anonymity, said: “It is not true that a mother who gives birth through Caesarean Section cannot breastfeed. Rather, it actually helps the mother to heal fast. It is also not true that a working class mum cannot practise exclusive breastfeeding, as all she needs is proper planning. Some even say babies raised on exclusive breast milk don’t walk on time; this is absolutely false. Instead, it even makes the baby stronger physically and mentally.
The Chief Dietician, Mrs Bushra Adefalu was also on ground to give a lecture on the right diet for nursing mothers.