It is well proven that breast milk is the optimal source of nutrition for babies, yet the long-term benefits are lesser known.

Associated with healthier adolescents, #breastfeeding for 6 months or longer, compared to less than 6 months or not at all, has shown improved cognitive performance, socio-affective responding and physical wellbeing from childhood into adolescence. In other words, healthy, happy, breastfed babies create healthier and more productive teenagers.

To empower early childhood development through improved nutrition starting with early and exclusive breastfeeding, my Wellbeing Foundation Africa has executed strategic public-private and philanthropic investments to improve breastfeeding across Nigeria. Between 2017 and 2020, the WBFA Alive and Thrive, McCann Health, FHI360 and Gates Foundation consortium promoted appropriate Infant and Young Child Feeding #IYCF, and encouraged optimal breastfeeding practices at over 370 private medical facilities in Lagos and Kaduna States.

Our #Mamacare360 Midwifery-led #ANC #PNC programme continues to promote early initiation and exclusive breastfeeding, providing the lactation support required for mothers and healthcare facilities across Nigeria, activating and actualising the WHO and UNICEF’s Baby-friendly Hospital Initiative’s “Ten Steps For Successful Breastfeeding” in order to support mothers and newborns. These steps highlights the support which the mother needs while the support healthcare and hospitals should provide to all mothers and their newborns after birth.

As we work to achieve a world where breastfeeding is the cultural norm and where mothers and families are enabled to feed and care optimally for their infants and children, let us continue to amplify and reflect on how breastfeeding contributes to a brighter and better healthy society for years to come.

#WBW2022 #TeenageTuesday #WorldBreastFeedingWeek2022

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