The Kwara state State Government in collaboration with the Wellbeing Foundation Africa, have counseled 500 nursing mothers and pregnant women on exclusive breastfeeding and caring for infants.
The state Commissioner for Health, Dr Atolagbe Alege, made the call on Monday at the 2017 World Health Organization International Breastfeeding Week celebration held at the state Civil Service Clinic in Ilorin.
Dr Atolagbe Alege
He advised mothers to ensure they adhered to exclusive breast feeding; the best option for their babies, saying it is cheaper and effective.
Represented by the atate Epidemiologist, Dr Khadeeja Kamaldeen, the commissioner advised women to give their children exclusive breast milk to make them healthy and free from diseases. She said that breast milk contains all the essential nutrients for a baby in the right quantity and temperature.
Mrs Saraki; the Wife of the Senate President, Senator Bukola Saraki, was represented at the programme by Hajia Funsho Abdullahi, the wife of the National Publicity Secretary of All Progressives Congress (APC).
She said that there was the need to promote breastfeeding among nursing mothers to achieve a healthy nation. She explained that breast milk contains antibodies that help babies fight viruses and bacteria; while breast feeding lowers baby’s risk of having asthma or allergies.
In her address, the lead midwife of the Wellbeing Foundation Africa, Ms Felicity Ukoko, stressed on the importance of exclusive breastfeeding for a baby in the first six months. She said that exclusive breastfeeding of a baby without water is a form of family planning for the mother if she practiced it effectively.
Newsmen report that the Wellbeing Foundation Africa demonstrated how nursing mothers can properly breastfed their babies to participating nursing mothers and pregnant women at the occasion.
