The Lagos State Government has achieved a significant milestone in child nutrition, with its exclusive breastfeeding rate reaching 57.4 per cent, surpassing the global target of 50 per cent.<\/p>\n
This was disclosed by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Health, Dr Kemi Ogunyemi, during a press briefing to mark the 2025 World Breastfeeding Week.<\/p>\n
While acknowledging the progress, Dr Ogunyemi expressed concern over the state\u2019s low rate of early initiation of breastfeeding, which currently stands at 14 per cent. She warned that delays in starting breastfeeding within the first hour of birth pose serious risks to newborn health.<\/p>\n
She attributed the low figures to poor service delivery, cultural misconceptions, and the continued use of pre\u2011lacteal feeds such as glucose water and infant formula.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen babies miss out on colostrum, which is rich in antibodies, their immunity is compromised from the start,\u201d she said, adding that steps are being taken to retrain midwives and birth attendants on proper breastfeeding initiation protocols.<\/p>\n
Speaking on this year\u2019s theme, \u201cPrioritise Breastfeeding: Create Sustainable Support Systems\u201d, Ogunyemi stressed the importance of long\u2011term institutional, community, and workplace structures to support breastfeeding mothers, particularly those in employment.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are focused not just on promoting breastfeeding, but ensuring that mothers have the social, institutional, and workplace support they need,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
She highlighted the long\u2011term benefits of breastfeeding, including improved physical growth, emotional bonding, and cognitive development, especially in the first two years of life.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is not just a maternal Health <\/a>matter, it is also a public health, economic, and developmental issue that demands collective action,\u201d Ogunyemi added.<\/p>\n To support working families, the state has adopted a six\u2011month paid maternity leave and two\u2011week paternity leave policy for the first two deliveries across all public institutions.<\/p>\n \u201cThis forward\u2011thinking policy gives parents the time needed to prioritise exclusive breastfeeding during the critical first six months. We encourage private sector employers to adopt the same,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n She also disclosed that the state has scaled up antenatal education and counselling across its Health <\/a>facilities to better prepare expectant mothers for optimal breastfeeding practices and infant care.<\/p>\n Also speaking, Dr Folashade Oludara, Director of Family Health <\/a>and Nutrition at the State Ministry of Health, emphasised that breastfeeding remains the most affordable, effective, and accessible form of nutrition for infants, particularly during challenging economic times.<\/p>\n \u201cNow more than ever, mothers should prioritise exclusive breastfeeding. It\u2019s free, readily available, and has no negative side effects,\u201d she said. \u201cContrary to popular myths, it does not cause sagging breasts.\u201d<\/p>\n Dr Oludara also pointed to the broader Health <\/a>benefits of breastfeeding, including a reduced risk of breast cancer for mothers. She urged the media to combat misinformation by promoting fact\u2011based content.<\/p>\n \u201cWe want our women to be properly informed. Breastfeeding supports both mother and child and contributes to overall public health,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n