As Nigeria joins the rest of the world to commemorate the 2020 World Breastfeeding Week (WBW), the Civil Society-Scaling Up Nutrition in Nigeria (CS-SUNN) is calling for improved investments at all levels of governance to promote breastfeeding in Nigeria.
CS-SUNN disclosed this in a Document signed by Beatrice Eluaka, the Executive Secretary.
The body noted that Government at all levels should fully enforce the International Code of Breast-milk marketing Substitutes and ensure that monitoring mechanisms are in place.
“The Implementation of the Multisectoral Plan of Action for Nutrition at the national and state levels as well as strengthening the capacity of health systems to provide counselling on infant and young child feeding practices and the resuscitation of Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative was also given as a point of consideration”.
According to her the theme for this year’s World Breastfeeding Week, “Support breastfeeding for a healthier planet” draws attention to the fact that breast milk, is a natural renewable food that is environmentally safe for infants because it is produced and delivered to infants without pollution, packaging and waste.
“In line with the objectives of this year’s World Breastfeeding Week, CS-SUNN states the need for Nigerians to become better informed about the links between breastfeeding and the environment/climate change. Also Individuals, Organizations and Government at all levels are to engage and work collaboratively for greater impact among other several needs.”
“The Civil Society-Scaling up Breastfeeding in Nigeria requires and demanded that State governments should approve 6 months maternity leave and ensure breastfeeding-friendly environment/crèches in workplaces”.
In the same vein, the World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action WABA, noted that breastfeeding is a prime example of the deep connections between human health and nature’s eco system.
“WABA also reinstates the need for protecting, promoting and supporting breastfeeding to address inequalities that stand in the way of sustainable development.
The Alliance further notes that artificial feeding leaves a major environmental footprint that contributes to the depletion of natural resources, environmental degradation, and green-house emissions that cause global warming and climate change.”
