Exclusive Breast-Feeding: SC-SUNN, Others Advocate For Longer Maternity Leave For Nursing Mothers
Poised to achieve the enormous advantages of exclusive breast-feeding and reduced infant mortality in the state, stakeholders have called on Governments, Cooperate organizations and all employers of labour to as a matter of policy extend the duration of maternity leave for nursing mothers.
They made the call during a sensitization rally on Exclusive Breast-feeding in Ahoada East Local Government Area.
Speaking at the rally, the coordinator of Civil Society Scaling-up Nutrition in Nigeria (CS-SUNN), River State, Mr Buduzhi Oguzor urged Government to as a matter of urgency make a policy that will provide for 6 months maternity leave and 1 month paternity leave for nursing mothers and fathers respectfully.
He further noted that such paternity/maternity leave policies could help reduce infant mortality by 13%, while enabling women to physically recover from child birth before returning to work, adding that exclusive breast-feeding benefits their physical, mental and emotional health.
Also speaking at the rally, the First Lady of Ahoada East Local Government Council Mrs. Ethel Ben Eke advised parents to adopt exclusive breast-feeding approach nurturing their new borns especially as it is the cheapest and safest way of feeding new babies.
She said research has proved that exclusive breast-feeding is necessary for the over all wellbeing of newborns which include high intelligence quotient, and resistance from other infectious diseases.
Calling on husbands parents to live up to their responsibilities, she enjoined them to support their wivey by ensuring that they are adequately fed in other to sustain the exclusive breast-feeding tasks for at least six months, and warned mothers against the use of feeding bottles.
Earlier, the deputy chairman of the council, Dr. (Mrs.) Rose Ogbugo urged mothers to embrace exclusive breast-feeding which according to her encourages healthy and sound training of their wards, and called on fathers to join in the crusade of exclusive breast-feeding as the result will be amazing with the support of husbands.
