Water not necessary for exclusive breastfeeding

Nutritionists and paediatricians have revealed that drinking of water is not necessary for babies in their first six months when they are undergoing exclusive breastfeeding. The experts, which included Professor (Mrs) Ngozi Nnam, the President of the Nutrition Society of Nigeria (NSN), Dr, Ngozi Ibeziako, President of the Paediatric Association of Nigeria (PAN),  Mrs. Stella […]

Nutritionists and paediatricians have revealed that drinking of water is not necessary for babies in their first six months when they are undergoing exclusive breastfeeding.
The experts, which included Professor (Mrs) Ngozi Nnam, the President of the Nutrition Society of Nigeria (NSN), Dr, Ngozi Ibeziako, President of the Paediatric Association of Nigeria (PAN),  Mrs. Stella Umunna, a retired Deputy Director/Head of Nursing at Iyi-Enu Mission Hospital in Anambra State and Dr. Patrick Eze, former National President, National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives (NANNM), made the declaration at a one-day symposium organised by Promasidor Nigeria Limited in Enugu.
The experts at the symposium with theme, ‘The Nutrition Wisdom of Infant Feeding Choices’,  harped on the need for massive enlightenment campaigns for women and their husbands on the importance of breastfeeding.
Mrs. Stella Umunna said, “They should be made to understand that water is not necessary when a child is being exclusively breastfed in the first six months.
Her position was supported by Dr, Ngozi Ibeziako, who said that parents should understand that 80 percent of breast milk is water.