Wife of the President of the Senate, Mrs.
Toyin Saraki has called on mothers to
exclusively breastfeed their babies especially
during the first six months of a child’s life to
guarantee a healthier lifespan.
According to a press statement made
available to Naij.com, Mrs Saraki stated this
while addressing nursing mothers and
stakeholders in the health sector during this
year’s World Breastfeeding Week celebration
in Abuja, Mrs. Saraki stated that breastfeeding
is a bridge between maternal health and child
health.
She stressed that it is high time our nursing
mothers renew their willingness to optimally
breastfeed their infants and adopt inclusive
nutritional feeding practices for children.
“I urge our mothers to imbibe the habit of
exclusive breastfeeding for our newborns. It is
very important to put the baby to your breast
within the first 30 minutes after birth to
stimulate milk production.
“Exclusive breastfeeding means giving
breastmilk only, and nothing else, no foods, or
liquids, not even sips of water, except for
medicines prescribed by a doctor or nurse.
“Mixing breastmilk with other milks, foods and
liquids before six months is not healthy for your
baby. It reduces the amount of milk that you
produce and can make your baby sick” Mrs.
Saraki advised.
She further encouraged mothers in Nigeria to
ensure their babies are delivered in a
government certified health facility, and safe
childbirth by a skilled midwife with access to
appropriate medical referral.
Experts from various health institutions and
international organizations, such as the World
Health Organization, Federal Ministry of
Health, Wellbeing Foundation Africa, Family
Health Department, who spoke in different
fora on this year’s theme, “Breastfeeding and
Work: let’s make it work” solicited for support
from all stakeholders to encourage
breastfeeding mothers working in both formal
and informal places and communities to
continue optimal exclusive breastfeeding
practices even during work hours.
Recently, Mrs Saraki degrading treatment
melted on patients, especially pregnant
women during anti-natal and post-natal care
by medical practitioners in the country.

www.naij.com/507745-sarakis-wife-advocates-exclusive-breastfeeding-infants.html