By Sherifdeen Amusa and Ayokunle Adebiyi
Health experts in Ikosi Isheri Local Council Development Area have sensitised nursing mothers on the importance of breastfeeding and how it should be properly done.
They spoke during the celebration of Breastfeeding and Year 2024 Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent Health Plus Nutrition (MNCAN+N) Week at the Council Secretariat, Ikosi.
The experts highlighted the importance of breastfeeding to nursing mothers, infants and the society at large.
Chairman of Ikosi-Isheri LCDA, Princess Samiat Bada, said breastfeeding provides infants with essential nutrients to reduce risk of diseases and promotes maternal-child bonding.
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Represented by Mrs. Muyibat Balogun, Princess Bada said: “It is imperative to note that breastfeeding provides infants with the essential nutrients, antibodies, and emotional bonding that are necessary for their growth and development. Breastfeeding not only enhances the health and wellbeing of infants, but also benefits mothers by reducing the risk of various diseases while enhancing maternal-child bonding.”
The Permanent Secretary, Health District 2, Dr. Dayo Olajide, stated that breastfeeding made infants healthier, and provides a strong immune system with high intelligence quotient.
Olajide called for communal support for nursing mothers, noting that breastfeeding is a tedious job.
Medical Officer of Health in the council, Dr. Okunade Adebayo, said nursing mothers could be susceptible to some diseases if they didn’t breastfeed.
He also added that breastfeeding was cheap, readily available and contributed immensely to having a healthy nation.
“Breastfeeding is very important to the community at large, the mother and to the child, because if the mother breastfeeds, the child will be very healthy and breast-milk is very cheap and readily available unlike other foods that are expensive,” he said.
The council’s Apex Community Health Officer, Mrs. Fari Olabisi, said personal, food and environmental hygiene were vital to healthy living.
She also urged nursing mothers to eat nutritious food.
The event held at Ikosi Isheri Council Secretariat, Ikosi Road, Ikosi Lagos. It was attended by top officials of the council, nursing mothers and many residents