The Osun Government has urged mothers and caregivers in the state to embrace exclusive breastfeeding to reduce the risk of breast cancer.
The Principal Nutrition Officer, State Primary Health Care Development Board, Mr Akeem Shuti, said this during a one day public enlightenment meeting on breastfeeding and nutrition awareness for mothers and caregivers on Thursday in Osogbo.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the programme was organised by the Ministry of Information and Public Enlightenment.
Shuti said that exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months could reduce the risk of breast and ovarian cancer in women.
He added that when a mother practices exclusive breastfeeding, it also prevents newborn from developing jaundice and other diseases.
He noted that exclusive breastfeeding also improves brain development and optimal intellectual development of the child.
“Exclusive breastfeeding plays a vital role in the lives of mothers and children. It also prevents sudden infant death syndrome.
“If a mother is able to exclusively breastfeed the baby, the baby will not suffer from sudden infant death syndrome,” he said.
The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Economic Planning and Development, Mrs Yetunde Esan, said that the state government expects mothers and caregivers to abide by the rule of exclusive breastfeeding after the programme.
Represented by Mr Gbadebo Iyanda, Director of Development Cooperation Development in the ministry, Esan said that exclusive breastfeeding reduces sickness in children and also prevents unplanned pregnancy.
She added that if a mother practices exclusive breastfeeding, there would be no need for couples to buy infant formula, which reduces economic pressure.
According to her, breast milk is very rich in antibodies to protect babies from infection.
The Special Adviser to the Governor on Public Enlightenment, Mr Eniola Odeniyi, said that the state government would continue to sensitise mothers and caregivers in the state on the importance of breastfeeding.
Odeniyi said that the importance of exclusive breastfeeding by mothers could not be over emphasised.
