By: Nneoma Ahukanna
To encourage mothers to adopt exclusive breastfeeding for their babies up till six months, the Imo state chapter of Nigeria Association of Women Journalists NAWOJ rounded up the 2023 breastfeeding week with a health talk where nursing mothers and their babies were presented with gift items.
The event which took place at the Area M World Bank Primary Health Care center formed the conclusion of this year’s world breastfeeding week with the theme: “Enabling breastfeeding, making a difference for working parents, zero water campaign” .
It was sponsored by Hon. Innocent Ikpamezie ,the lawmaker representing Mbaitoli local government area in the Imo House of Assembly.
Addressing the participants, the Imo NAWOJ chairperson Dr. Mrs Dorothy Nnaji, JP, represented by the Secretary of the Association, Lady Chika Ewurum, harped on the importance of exclusive breastfeeding to the general well-being of both mother and child as she enumerated the benefits therein.
She recalled that while flagging off this year’s breastfeeding week , the Imo First Lady Barr Chioma Uzodimma, dropped the hint that to facilitate exclusive breastfeeding for 6months , maternity leave for working mothers had been extended to six months.
The Director of Nursing, Area M health centre,/ Nutrition Officer, Owerri Municipal, Lady Chime Francisca took the women on health talk that touched on the theme and covered a number of topics bordering on pregnancy, nutrition child delivery ,and breastfeeding.
She advised the mothers to always adopt exclusive breastfeeding even if they give birth to twins, to eat well expecially more of fruits and vegetables, ignore myths that tell pregnant women to avoid certain foods or activities, take enough fluids , plenty of water, to prevent constipation which is not good for them,treat malaria, and infections.
The mothers were taught proper positions for breastfeeding both for mother and child while sitting or lying down as well as the right clothes to wear if breastfeeding baby outside the home to facilitate easy feeding, stressing that babies should be fed on demand.
They were also reminded of the benefits of exclusively breastfeeding their babies with zero water for 6 months after which they were engaged in a question and answer interactive session.
High point was the presentation of gifts to nursing mothers and the babies which included potty, toys, booties, mittens , bonnets, and diapers.
A grateful mother , Mrs Rosemary Ikechukwu expressed appreciation for the health talk and the gifts given to them.
She said all her babies had been breastfed exclusively and adviced every pregnant mother to choose exclusive breastfeeding because of its importance to both mother and child, stressing that when you see a well breastfed baby you will know.
