Saraki's Wife Wants Exclusive Breastfeeding For Infants

Wife of the President of the Senate, Mrs. Toyin Saraki has called on mothers to exclusively breastfeed their babies especially during the first six months of a child’s life to guarantee a healthier lifespan.

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Wife of the President of the Senate, Mrs. Toyin Saraki

According to a press statement made available to Naij.com, Mrs Saraki stated this while addressing nursing mothers and stakeholders in the health sector during this year’s World Breastfeeding Week celebration in Abuja, Mrs. Saraki stated that breastfeeding is a bridge between maternal health and child health.

She stressed that it is high time our nursing mothers renew their willingness to optimally breastfeed their infants and adopt inclusive nutritional feeding practices for children.

“I urge our mothers to imbibe the habit of exclusive breastfeeding for our newborns. It is very important to put the baby to your breast within the first 30 minutes after birth to stimulate milk production. 

“Exclusive breastfeeding means giving breastmilk only, and nothing else, no foods, or liquids, not even sips of water, except for medicines prescribed by a doctor or nurse.

“Mixing breastmilk with other milks, foods and liquids before six months is not healthy for your baby. It reduces the amount of milk that you produce and can make your baby sick” Mrs. Saraki advised.

She further encouraged mothers in Nigeria to ensure their babies are delivered in a government certified health facility, and safe childbirth by a skilled midwife with access to appropriate medical referral.

Experts from various health institutions and international organizations, such as the World Health Organization, Federal Ministry of Health, Wellbeing Foundation Africa, Family Health Department, who spoke in different fora on this year’s theme, “Breastfeeding and Work: let’s make it work” solicited for support from all stakeholders to encourage breastfeeding mothers working in both formal and informal places and communities to continue optimal exclusive breastfeeding practices even during work hours.

Recently, Mrs Saraki degrading treatment melted on patients, especially pregnant women during anti-natal and post-natal care by medical practitioners in the country.