The Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) has called for greater collaboration among government, healthcare institutions, employers, families and other stakeholders to strengthen breastfeeding practices in Nigeria as part of activities marking World Breastfeeding Week 2026.

The event, organised by the Paediatric Department of LUTH, was held on Wednesday in Lagos under the theme, “Breastfeeding for a Sustainable Start in Life: Strengthen What Works.”

Speaking at the event, the Director of Nursing Hospital Services, LUTH, Mrs Akinola Olajumoke, said the programme was designed to educate health workers, mothers, families and the general public on the importance of breastfeeding and breast milk.

Representing the LUTH management, Olajumoke highlighted the achievements of the hospital’s Baby-Friendly Initiative, which began in 1991.

“Breastfeeding event is a week-long programme, and the hospital’s baby-friendly initiative has made great impacts, producing healthy babies for the next generation.

“With the advent of this paternity leave and maternity leave with pay that the Federal Government has introduced, we are really complying.

“If any staff gives birth today, that person is entitled to six months maternity leave with pay, and 14 days paternity leave with pay for the men.

“As a result of that, we are turning out healthier children, healthier neonates. And it doesn’t stop there; even in our labour and neonatal wards, we encourage mothers to breastfeed.

“When mothers come for postnatal visits, we are always very happy that they are really raising healthy babies,” Olajumoke said.

The Provost of the College of Medicine, University of Lagos (CMUL), Prof. Ademola Oremosu, described breastfeeding as essential for child development and called for stronger support from families, organisations, policymakers and the wider public.

Represented by the Deputy Provost, Prof. Daniel Odebiyi, Oremosu stressed the need for government programmes that promote breastfeeding, noting that both mothers and babies require proper guidance and support.

Delivering the keynote address, Prof. Abiola Oduwole, a Consultant in the Paediatric Department of LUTH, described breastfeeding as a critical foundation for lifelong health, development and sustainability.

She said governments have a responsibility to protect women from relying on breast milk substitutes by creating flexible and supportive working conditions, particularly for women employed in the private sector.

According to Oduwole, 12 of Nigeria’s 36 states have adopted the Baby-Friendly Initiative, with Lagos State being the third state to implement the programme.

“Creating a conducive working environment that encourages breastfeeding has become imperative in the face of multiple challenges faced by working class mothers as they strive to practice exclusive breastfeeding.

“The six months maternity leave given to working mothers in some states and at the Federal level should be applicable in all states of the federation including in the private sector settings.

“This is because the window period gives ample opportunity for mothers to breastfed and take good care of the baby.

“For every safe delivery where the mother is alive, healthy and lactating well, there is no reason whatsoever to go for formula/substitutes to breast milk,” she said.

She also encouraged mothers to adopt the 1:6:24 breastfeeding approach, which involves initiating breastfeeding within one hour of birth, exclusively breastfeeding for the first six months, and introducing complementary foods while continuing breastfeeding up to 24 months.

Chairman of the occasion, Prof. Edamisan Temiye, emphasised the importance of preparing mothers for breastfeeding before childbirth, explaining that the breast would dry up if a baby does not suckle within three days after birth.

The event also featured a panel discussion involving dieticians, paediatric specialists, nursing mothers and other stakeholders, who examined common myths surrounding breastfeeding in Nigeria and proposed practical solutions to improve breastfeeding practices nationwide.

Source: Realnews Magazine