UNICEF advocates for exclusive breastfeeding for the First Six months of Child’s life.

The United Nations Children’s Education Fund (UNICEF) has emphasized the importance of exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of a child’s life.

It also called for the right complementary feeding to ensure child survival and development in Plateau State.

Speaking during a media engagement in Jos, the Nutrition Specialist at UNICEF’s Bauchi Field Office, Mrs. Philomena Irene, highlighted the alarming nutrition statistics in Nigeria.

She noted that, poor child nutrition is largely due to low rates of exclusive breastfeeding and inadequate complementary feeding practices after six months.

Mrs Irene said, malnutrition remains a serious concern, adding that many mothers stop exclusive breastfeeding too early and fail to introduce appropriate local complementary foods, which are essential for child growth and immunity.

She revealed that UNICEF is working across communities to promote better nutrition, access to clean drinking water, and healthier complementary feeding practices.

At an antenatal care (ANC) session held at Jos North Township Primary Health Centre, the acting officer in charge, Mrs. Halima Chantu, educated mothers on the importance of breastfeeding and Infant and Young Child Feeding.

Mrs Chantu explained that, to ensure babies grow healthy and strong, mothers should allow their babies to feed thoroughly on one breast before switching to the other.

She also emphasized the importance of using affordable and nutritious locally available foods such as groundnuts, soya beans, beans, millet, Irish and sweet potatoes, spinach, and local green leafy vegetables like ugu.

According to Mrs. Chantu, the health center organizes daily health talks for pregnant and lactating women, promoting exclusive breastfeeding and the use of local foods during complementary feeding instead of expensive formula foods, added that Local foods are not only affordable but more nutritious and safer for babies.

During the interaction, several mothers at the session shared positive testimonials from practicing exclusive breastfeeding and complementary feeding.

All the mothers interviewed, encouraged others to adopt the culture of exclusive breastfeeding followed by nutritious, locally sourced complementary feeding, as a proven method for raising healthy, smart, and strong children.