Dr. Olayemi Oyebanji, wife of Ekiti State Governor, has advocated for an end to traditional norms and beliefs that discourage exclusive breastfeeding. Speaking at the World Breastfeeding Week launch in Ado Ekiti, Oyebanji, represented by Senior Special Assistant on Community Advocacy, Dr. Eunice Fasanmi, emphasized that halting practices such as giving water to babies in their first month could significantly boost exclusive breastfeeding rates.
Despite efforts, Ekiti State is lagging in meeting global targets for exclusive breastfeeding, which aims for a 50% rate and 90% coverage to fully benefit from breastfeeding. Oyebanji highlighted that exclusive breastfeeding is crucial for sustainable development, nutrition, and reducing inequalities.
She noted that breastfeeding can prevent 13% of child deaths and morbidity if 90% of mothers exclusively breastfeed their infants for the first six months. However, only 38% of infants worldwide and 27.2% in Nigeria are exclusively breastfed. Oyebanji stressed the importance of breastfeeding as recommended by UNICEF and WHO, which includes providing only breast milk for the first six months.
The commissioner for health, Dr. Oyebanji Filani, pointed out that cultural norms, lack of support, and limited lactation services are barriers to breastfeeding in Ekiti State. Filani urged collaboration among stakeholders to address these issues and ensure optimal breastfeeding practices for better infant health.
