A consultant paediatrician, Dr Odochi Ewurum, has called for the provision of creches in government establishments to enable nursing mothers to breastfeed their babies while at work.
Ewurum, who works at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Umuahia, made the call in an interview with newsmen on Friday, while speaking on this year’s World Breastfeeding Week, said that such a facility would enable the babies to enjoy the full benefits of breastfeeding for healthy growth.
She urged the Federal Government to ensure that the World Health Organisation (WHO) policy on breastfeeding was put in place, especially in government hospitals.
She advocated that the policy be domesticated in the states to ensure that similar facilities would also be provide at the state and private hospitals.
Ewurum, who is the President, Medical Women’s Association of Nigeria, Abia chapter, said that the policy would help mothers and healthcare workers to appreciate the health benefts of breastfeeding.
“We are supposed to have a written policy on infant breastfeeding that should be pasted especially in paediatric wards and clinics.
“This will help the patients and even the staff to be aware of the policy,” she said, adding that they were expected to have full knowledge about breastfeeding.”
She also underscored the need for mothers to practise exclusive breastfeeding.
According to her, it has a lot of advantages both for themselves and their children.
“It helps to increase the child’s immunity, it’s cognitive development and prepares the child for easy digestion.
Ewurum also said that breastfeeding promotes mother and child bonding, child’s spacing and remained economical, while enhancing a healthy family.
WHO set aside Aug.1 to 7 every year to commemorate the week
