Abuja: A paediatrician, Dr Lilian Ekwem, has called for stronger family and government support for breastfeeding mothers to improve child health and survival. Ekwem made the call at the 2026 World Breastfeeding Week celebration organised by the State House Medical Centre in Abuja. The theme of the celebration was ‘Breastfeeding for a Sustainable Start in Life: Strengthen What Works.’
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Ekwem, Chief Consultant Paediatrician and Rheumatologist, described breast milk as the ideal nutrition for newborns, particularly during their first six months. She emphasized that breast milk provides essential nutrients, protects babies from infections, promotes bonding, and remains readily available and affordable. Ekwem highlighted that breast milk is delivered at the right temperature, while breastfeeding remains accessible and cost-effective for families.
Ekwem stressed the importance of initiating breastfeeding within the first hour after birth, noting that early initiation could also reduce mothers’ risk of postpartum bleeding. She pointed out that Nigeria’s exclusive breastfeeding rate is about 29 per cent, one of the lowest even in Africa. The World Health Organisation and UNICEF recommend exclusive breastfeeding for six months, with continued breastfeeding alongside appropriate complementary foods up to two years of age or beyond.
Ekwem urged families to assist breastfeeding mothers with household chores, particularly during the first six weeks following delivery, to allow mothers to rest, recover, and concentrate on establishing successful breastfeeding practices. She also advocated for six months’ maternity leave and two weeks’ paternity leave to strengthen family support for breastfeeding mothers.
The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Youth Development, Dr Maryam Keshinro, also backed exclusive breastfeeding, suggesting it is crucial for raising healthy children and strengthening the country’s future human capital. She attributed the improvement partly to increased adoption of exclusive breastfeeding among families and urged parents to embrace it, noting breastfed children tend to fall sick less frequently.
Rakiya Ahmed, Coordinator of the State House Clinic Breastfeeding Week, advocated stronger workplace support, calling for breastfeeding breaks and suitable spaces for mothers to breastfeed, express, and store breast milk safely. She urged employers and policymakers to strengthen policies that protect breastfeeding mothers and enable them to combine work with infant feeding.
Meanwhile, Dr Shareefa Hassan, Coordinator of ENT at the State House Medical Centre, advised mothers to seek medical attention if babies develop ear discharge, particularly during or after breastfeeding. Hassan explained that breast milk could sometimes enter the Eustachian tube if babies are breastfed while lying completely flat, potentially indicating a perforated eardrum.
The celebration featured presentations of gifts to mothers whose children performed well during the screening exercise, and fathers who supported their wives during breastfeeding were also recognised with gifts.