Non-breastfed babies likely to die before first birthday — UNICEF

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) says babies not breastfed are 14 times more likely to die before   they   reach   their   first   birthday   than   those exclusively breastfed. UNICEF Chief of Bauchi Field Office, Dr Tushar Rane, stated this yesterday  during a media dialogue on breast feeding in Azare, Bauchi State. He said breast milk is […]

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) says babies not breastfed are 14 times more likely to die before   they   reach   their   first   birthday   than   those exclusively breastfed.

UNICEF Chief of Bauchi Field Office, Dr Tushar Rane, stated this yesterday  during a media dialogue on breast feeding in Azare, Bauchi State.

He said breast milk is the first vaccine for every child, adding that it is the mainstay for safeguarding infants against life-threatening infections.

He noted that breastfeeding supports optimal brain development in children,  especially in the first 1,000 days  and ultimately lowers healthcare costs.

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“We understand that optimal infant feeding is a cornerstone for human capital development while poor Infant   and   Young   Child   Feeding   (IYCF) practices bears major risks to child survival and socio-economic growth.”

Rane said only 9 per cent of organizations have a workplace breastfeeding policy, with only 1.5 per   cent   in   the   public   sector.

Women   in   the   informal   sector   have   nearly   no support for breastfeeding, he added.

He urged government   and   employers  to   provide   the   needed   assistance  for mothers and caregivers including those in the informal sector or on temporary contracts   to  conveniently   breastfeed  or  support   breastfeeding.

He stressed the need to promote policies that encourage breastfeeding such as paid maternity leave for six months as well as paid paternity leave, flexible return-to-work options,regular lactation breaks during working hours and adequate facilities that enable mothers   to   continue   exclusive   breastfeeding   for   six   months.