LAGOS State is setting a global benchmark for postnatal infant nutrition, despite Nigeria's overall slow progress in early and exclusive breastfeeding.
A report coinciding with the 2025 World Breastfeeding Week (August 1-7) reveals that Lagos recorded a significant milestone in child nutrition. It achieved an exclusive breastfeeding rate of 57.4 per cent, surpassing the global target of 50 per cent for 2025. This is commendable.
The state's success is rooted in its robust social, institutional, and workplace support for mothers. Lagos has institutionalised a six-month maternity leave and two weeks of paternity leave for the first two deliveries in all public institutions, providing crucial time and support for exclusive breastfeeding.
According to Kemi Ogunyemi, Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Health, the state is addressing the low 14 per cent rate of early initiation of breastfeeding, within the first hour of birth.
This low rate is attributed to gaps in service delivery, misinformation, and the use of glucose water, infant formula and some other pre-lacteal feeds. "When babies miss out on colostrum, which is rich in antibodies, their immunity is compromised from the start," Ogunyemi said.
To improve this, midwives and birth attendants receive training to better support new mothers.
Globally, the WHO estimates that between 2015 and 2021, 53 per cent of newborns were breastfed within one hour of birth, while 45 per cent of infants under six months received exclusive breastfeeding.
The target is to increase this to 70 per cent worldwide by 2030. Additionally, 67 per cent of women breastfeed for at least one year, with an 80 per cent global goal by 2030.
The WHO recommends exclusive breastfeeding for a baby's first six months, followed by the introduction of safe, nutritionally adequate complementary foods while continuing breastfeeding up to two years or longer. This approach promotes optimal growth, development, and health.
Unfortunately, many Nigerian mothers do not adhere to these guidelines. UNICEF's Chief of Child Nutrition and Development, Nemat Hajeebhoy, notes a concerning drop in early breastfeeding initiation from 42 per cent in 2018 to 23 per cent in 2021.
Nigeria's 2018 Demographic and Health Survey recorded a 29 per cent exclusive breastfeeding rate, and continued breastfeeding at two years decreased from 28 per cent to 23 per cent over time.
The 2021 Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey reports that exclusive breastfeeding is around 34 per cent nationwide, with states like Niger reporting only 15 per cent adherence to six months of exclusive breastfeeding.
Inadequate breastfeeding practices lead to grave consequences, costing Nigeria about 103,742 preventable child deaths annually, according to UNICEF. The economic impact is staggering: approximately $12 billion (N16.2 trillion) in future losses, rising to $21 billion (N28.35 trillion) in total losses, factoring in cognitive and healthcare costs.
Some women cannot practice exclusive breastfeeding due to work demands, especially self-employed mothers who cannot afford maternity leave and must work to support their families.
Other mothers face myths and misconceptions. For example, some fear breastfeeding will cause breasts to sag or change shape, though medical experts attribute these changes more to weight fluctuations and genetics, often temporary.
Other false beliefs include the misconception that colostrum is harmful when, in reality, colostrum is rich in antibodies and vital nutrients.
Some mothers believe small breasts produce insufficient milk, yet breast size does not affect milk production. Another common myth is that male babies require formula because breast milk will not satisfy them; this is false, as breast milk equally nourishes babies regardless of gender.
Additionally, some women prefer formula feeding, influenced by Western lifestyles, but should understand that breastfeeding is natural and should not be stigmatised.
Notably, in 2016, Spanish MP Carolina Bescansa faced criticism for breastfeeding in parliament, whereas Australian MP Larissa Waters received support when breastfeeding during a vote in 2017. This reflects cultural differences and highlights the importance of normalising breastfeeding in public spaces.
Public enlightenment is essential to dispel myths and encourage antenatal care attendance, where education on breastfeeding is provided.
Unfortunately, some pregnant women fail to attend antenatal visits, increasing risks for maternal and child mortality, a problem that must be eradicated.
Exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months offers myriad benefits. It strengthens a baby's immune system through antibodies, reducing the risk of infections like diarrhoea, ear infections, eczema, leukaemia, sudden infant death syndrome, pneumonia, and whooping cough.
It lowers the risk of chronic diseases such as diabetes, asthma, and obesity. Nutritionally, exclusive breastfeeding supplies vitamins, minerals, fats, proteins, and carbohydrates, and supports better cognitive and behavioural development.
For mothers, exclusive breastfeeding aids postpartum weight loss by burning extra calories, fosters a special bond with the baby, and lowers the risk of osteoporosis, breast, thyroid, and ovarian cancers. It promotes uterine contraction to pre-pregnancy size through oxytocin release. Importantly, breast milk is free and readily available, unaffected by rising living costs.
Raising children is a significant investment. So, every government should prioritise supporting mothers in exclusive breastfeeding, recognising it as a national service and public health imperative. Healthy children build a strong nation.
Scandinavian countries exemplify this commitment through generous parental leave policies.
Sweden offers 390 days of paid parental leave at 80 per cent salary, Bulgaria 410 days at 90 per cent, Norway 413 days at 80 per cent or 343 days at full pay, and Iceland nine months shared equally between parents at about 80 per cent pay. The UK provides 273 days at 90 per cent pay, and Slovakia offers 238 days at 75 per cent pay.
Some of the best paternity leave policies in 2024 were found in Japan (365 days), Iceland (180 days), Finland (160 days), Spain (112 days), and Lithuania (90 days). Maternity and paternity leave encourage family bonding and empower women's workforce participation.
Many countries are advocating for paternity leave so fathers can support their partners and bond with newborns.
Lagos's achievement is a positive development, now followed by nine other states.
Ideally, all Nigerian states should adopt similar measures, granting six months of paid maternity leave and at least two weeks of paternity leave.
Crucially, fathers should use this time to support breastfeeding their babies at home instead of socialising elsewhere. This involvement helps children grow up knowing both their fathers and mothers, reinforcing the vital role of men in family health.
The private sector should actively support exclusive breastfeeding by giving up to a six-month maternity leave to their female workers. The three-month leave is insufficient. Workplace breastfeeding facilities should be encouraged as well.