Research findings have shown the Protective benefits of Breastfeeding for Infants, guarding against both short and Long-Term Illnesses, diseases, and even Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).
According to UNICEF, Infants who are Breastfed have a Survival advantage, with Breastfed children having a Survival Rate in the early months that is six times higher than Non-Breastfed Children.
Moreover, an Infant exclusively Breastfed is 14 times less likely to pass away within the first six months compared to a Non-Breastfed Child.
UNICEF’s Data underscores the Potential Impact, Indicating that if 90% of Mothers exclusively Breastfed their Infants for the Initial six months of life, around 13% of Child deaths could be prevented.
Disturbingly, delaying Breastfeeding by as little as 2-23 hours after Birth elevates the risk of Infant Mortality within the first 28 days by 40%.
Given this context, Women in Bauchi and Taraba are calling upon Governmental and Leadership Support to enact Legislation ensuring that Women in formal Employment can exclusively Breastfeed their Babies without fear of Discrimination or Mistreatment.
These women are Voicing concerns over the absence of assistance from Colleagues and Superiors in their Pursuit of six months of exclusive Breastfeeding.
They also Lament the lack of Private spaces for Breastfeeding due to the absence of Safe locations in Workplaces and Educational Institutions.
Sharing her personal experience, Fa’uza Abdullahi, a Graduate of Abubakar Tatari Ali Polytechnic, expressed how her attempts to exclusively Breastfeed her Child were hindered by Peers who viewed the Baby as a distraction to her Studies.
She shared that while she aimed to exclusively Breastfeed for six months, she had to resort to giving her Child water by the fifth month due to Academic pressures.
Abdullahi expressed Support for proposals to extend Maternity leave to six months and Implement Creche facilities for Breastfeeding Mothers in formal settings, believing such Initiatives could Significantly aid Working Mothers.
A lactating Mother and Nurse, Adama Mohammed, emphasized the Importance of Creches for working Mothers, providing Privacy for Breastfeeding during Work hours.
Mrs. Apollos Denis from Jalingo, Taraba State, added her voice to the discussion, Citing an Unsupportive Work Environment as a significant challenge for Working Mothers in their Breastfeeding Journey.
In response to these concerns, Bauchi State is taking steps to Enact Legislation ensuring that Women in the Formal Sector can Breastfeed their Babies without encountering Discrimination or Abuse.
The Executive Chairman of Bauchi State Primary Healthcare Development Agency revealed these Efforts during a Media dialogue held in Conjunction with UNICEF’s Breastfeeding Week Commemoration.
