A cross-section of breastfeeding women
BeN Ndu
Breastfeeding mothers in Amadim Ward, Igboetiti Local Government Area of Enugu State have commended the Enugu State Government and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Enugu Field Office for their efforts in propagating the benefits and significance of breastfeeding in the ward.
The mothers made the commendation during an interaction with our reporter, who visited the Amadim Primary Health Center (APHC), Ukehe, Igboetiti.
The visit to the facility was to ascertain the response of pregnant women in the area to avail themselves of the opportunity of the health center to practice breastfeeding for healthier babies.
It was also part of the activities marking the World Breastfeeding Day, with the theme: “Breastfeeding for a Sustainable Start in Life: Strengthening What Works.”
Speaking to our correspondent in the premises of the facility, many of the women expressed appreciation to both the UNICEF and the state government for their interventions, advocacy, and awareness creation on breastfeeding.
Mrs Precious Chiamaka, whose baby is two years said she practiced exclusive breastfeeding for six months, adding that it was a worthwhile experience.
She, however, said she was unable to continue exclusive after the six months as the baby had been drinking water after six months exclusive.
“Breastfeeding is very good for babies because it makes a baby strong and healthy, although it’s not that easy.
“I commend the government and the people responsible for the advocacy and encouragement, ” Chiamaka said.
She advised mothers, who were yet to practice breastfeeding to change their minds because of the benefits to their babies.
“I advice other women to change their minds and begin practicing breastfeeding; it is a good for babies growth and development, ” she said.
On her part, Mrs Lovelyn Ugwu, who is breastfeeding a six months-old baby said she was enjoying the practice, although “it has not been easy.”
She, however, said she might not continue after the current six months.
“It is important because it makes a baby very healthy, but for me I will not go beyond six months.
“It’s very good because it’s also cheap, ” Ugwu said.
She, however, urged relevant stakeholders to continue sensitisation of mothers in the rural areas to enable more mothers embrace breastfeeding practices.
“I also want the state government to empower our women with skills so that more women will be self reliant.
“Why so many mothers shun breastfeeding is due to poverty; if you don’t eat well, you cannot do breastfeeding, ” she said.
In the same vein, Mrs Chinedu Nwodo, Assistant Director of Nursing Services, Amadim PHC said that many pregnant mothers that delivered in the facility were always encouraged to practice breastfeeding.
“We encourage mothers who deliver their babies in this facility to breastfeed.
“As soon as they deliver, we put the baby’s mouth directly in the mother’s breast; so, all the mothers here practice breastfeeding, ” she said.
Nwodo added that many husbands also support their wives to practice breastfeeding.
According to her, there is no cultural barriers to prevent women in the area from practicing breastfeeding.
“The only thing is that some of them drop along the way, even before six months, citing lack of adequate feeding, ” she said.
She commended the state government and UNICEF for their various interventions, which help mothers in the ward to embrace breastfeeding.
Other breastfeeding mothers who spoke on their experiences expressed the same opinion that the practice of breastfeeding is beneficial to the growth and development of the child.
They used the occasion to advice other women in the vicinity to embrace the practice for the benefit of their babies and to promote a healthier society.
They also commended both the UNICEF and the state government for their support and interventions.
