The Medical Women’s Association of Nigeria (MWAN), Bauchi State Chapter, in collaboration with the AIM/MNCH Project and the MWAN National MCH Committee, has commemorated the 2025 World Breastfeeding Week with a renewed call to prioritize breastfeeding and establish sustainable support systems for nursing mothers.
This year’s campaign, held at the Miri Primary Health Care Centre, featured a health talk at the antenatal care (ANC) and immunization clinics. It focused on the sub-theme: “Prioritize Breastfeeding – A Lifeline Against Postpartum Hemorrhage.”
Speaking during the event, the President of the Bauchi MWAN Chapter, Dr. Ummi Hani Jafaru, emphasized the importance of early initiation, stating that every woman is expected to breastfeed her baby within the first 30 minutes after birth.
She highlighted that exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of a child’s life provides numerous benefits. These include a reduced risk of breast cancer for the mother, serving as a natural method of family planning, and helping prevent postpartum hemorrhage. She further explained that breast milk contains all the essential nutrients a baby needs for healthy growth and development.
Participants, including expectant and nursing mothers, were educated on its frequency and duration, including the importance of night feeding. Medical experts encouraged women to embrace exclusive breastfeeding and called on husbands to support their spouses during the breastfeeding period.
The session also provided an opportunity for men in attendance to ask questions and seek clarification on breastfeeding-related issues, thereby promoting male involvement in maternal and child health.
The event is part of broader efforts to promote infant and maternal well-being in line with global health recommendations.
By Lizzy Carr
