United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has said exclusive breastfeeding lowers risk of breast and ovarian cancers.
It noted breastfeeding encourages uterine contractions, whih helps in placenta expulsion, reduce uterine bleeding after birth, and returns uterus to pre-pregnancy size.
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UNICEF, urging mothers to exclusively breastfeed for first six months, called on governments and private employers to create the environment for working mothers to breastfeed.
Its Nutrition Specialist, Philomena Irene, spoke in Bauchi State during a chat on World Breastfeeding Week.
She said: “Breast milk gives children healthiest start and offers benefits for children and women. It is the first vaccine a child receives. It stimulates the brain.
“Breastfeeding leads to lowered healthcare cost because 50 per cent of infants’ illness is cut by 50 per cent with breastfeeding. It produces healthier families, smarter workforce, and better productivity.
“Breastfeeding protects women’s health because women who breastfeed are less likely to come down with breast, ovarian cancers.
“Breast milk contains all babies need to quench thirst and satisfy hunger because it is 88 per cent water; therefore, no need for water.
Tushar Rane, chief UNICEF’s Bauchi Field Office, said: “Breastfed children have six times greater chance to survive in early months. Also, exclusively breastfed children are 14 times less likely to die before they get to turn one.
“Breastfeeding prevents malnutrition and ensures food security for infants. Breastfed babies become healthy citizens and adults.”