A gynaecologist with the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH), Enugu, Dr Emeka Iloghalu, has said that six months of exclusive breastfeeding helps in the brain development of children.
Iloghalu stated in an interview in Enugu on Wednesday that exclusive breastfeeding promotes a good relationship between mother and child.
He also said exclusive breastfeeding helps to build children’s immunity so that the child would not get sick easily.
The medical practitioner who is also a consultant, said that he would soon organise free maternity and newborn health education, free immunization, sharing of mosquito nets and other activities.
Iloghalu explained that Nigeria records 157 deaths out of every 1,000 births.
He, however, said that the programme would be strictly for pregnant mothers and children under the age of five years.
He called on well-to-do Nigerians to embark on programmes that would reduce the high rate of maternal mortality instead of waiting for the government to do everything.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO),breastfeeding protects against diarrhoea and common childhood illnesses such as pneumonia, and may also have longer-term health benefits for the mother and child, such as reducing the risk of overweight and obesity in childhood and adolescence.
“Exclusive breastfeeding means that the infant receives only breast milk. No other liquids or solids are given – not even water – with the exception of oral rehydration solution, or drops/syrups of vitamins, minerals or medicines.”
NAN
