NAWOJ Urges Mothers On Exclusive Breastfeeding For Babies

Adenike Sanusi 

ABEOKUTA - As the world celebrate breastfeeding day, members of Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), Ogun State Chapter have appealed to women to give their children exclusive breastfeeding in their three years of age. 

The women journalists made the appeal on the commemoration of 2020 World Breastfeeding Week with the theme, "Support Breastfeeding for a healthier planet."

NAWOJ in a release jointly signed by its Chairperson, Modupe Sobukonla and Secretary, Oluwakemi Orunsolu appealed to governments at all levels to promote exclusive breastfeeding, with benefits for babies, families and the economy. 

The association said analysis has shown that increasing rates of exclusive breastfeeding could save the lives of 820,000 children annually.

"NAWOJ is urging mothers not to relent in the efforts to engender the safe and healthy society of our dreams regardless of social status as both the rich and the poor are endowed to breastfeed. 

"We know that breastfeeding comes with commitment and lot of sacrifices, Ogun NAWOJ is poised to give full support to every effort aimed at counseling and encouraging our women in nurturing the children to become good leaders tomorrow.

"As we congratulate all the women folks in this new month and in commemoration of World Breastfeeding Week 2020, there is the need for the society to avoid care practices that may interfere with optimal breastfeeding, such as the introduction of liquids, infant foods or other breast milk substitutes to babies, except where experts have ruled that advantages of such interventions will outweigh the risks of tampering with the development of the child's full potential and functionality."