Janet Ogundepo To ensure lactating mothers receive adequate support, the Founder and Executive Director of Child Health Advocacy Initiative, Elizabeth Alonge, has called for the creation of breastfeeding-friendly environments in healthcare facilities, workplaces and communities. In a statement to PUNCH Healthwise commemorating World Breastfeeding Week, the child health advocate noted that lack of access to accurate information, insufficient support from the community, spouse and family as well as cultural beliefs were barriers to breastfeeding in Nigeria. She also challenged the notion that breastfeeding in public is shameful and embarrassing, advocating for the provision of lactation rooms in offices and public places.
“Breastfeeding can be promoted and encouraged by promoting breastfeeding education and awareness, organising community outreach programs and workshops to educate mothers and families about the importance of breastfeeding and this should be done using local languages and contexts to communicate the benefits of breastfeeding. “Engage community leaders and influencers, support breastfeeding-friendly environments by encouraging employers to provide lactation rooms and flexible work arrangements for breastfeeding mothers, engage husbands and family members in breastfeeding education and support, and encourage them to be involved in caring for the baby,” Alonge said. WBW is celebrated annually from August 1st to 7th, to raise awareness and promote the benefits.