An NGO, Maternal Accountability Mechanism in Kaduna Initiative (KADMAM) has urged the state government, health institutions, and stakeholders to strengthen support systems that enable every mother to initiate breastfeeding early.
The NGO also wants the government to support mothers to exclusively breastfeed for six months, and continue breastfeeding alongside complementary feeding as recommended.
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Co-Chair of KADMAM, Garba Muhammad, made the call during at a news conference on Tuesday in Kaduna in commemoration of the 2026 World Breastfeeding Week.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the week is marked annually between Aug. 1 and Aug.7.
Muhammad said breastfeeding remained one of the most effective and affordable interventions for improving maternal and child health.
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He said exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life provided babies with the essential nutrients and antibodies needed for healthy growth.
‘’Breastfeeding protects babies against common childhood illnesses, enhances cognitive development, and significantly reduces infant mortality.
‘’Continued breastfeeding, alongside appropriate complementary feeding up to two years old and beyond, also contributes to better health outcomes for both mother and child, ‘’ he said.
The co-chair said in spite of progress recorded, many mothers still faced barriers to optimal breastfeeding.
According to him, this include inadequate family and workplace support, misinformation, limited access to skilled counselling, and socio-economic challenges.
He said addressing the barriers required sustained investments in quality maternal, newborn and child health services; stronger community engagement, and implementation of policies that protected and promoted breastfeeding.
“As an accountability platform committed to improving maternal, newborn, child, adolescent health and nutrition outcomes in the state, KADMAM calls for the support of mothers to initiate breastfeeding early.
‘’The government, healthcare institutions, employers, traditional and religious leaders, civil society organisations, the media, and development partners have a role to play in supporting mothers.
The co-chair commended organisations such as Project Smile for Humanity Foundation and its partners for mobilising communities through awareness activities.
According to him, these activities include the World Breastfeeding Walk Campaign, which helps amplify the importance of breastfeeding as a shared responsibility.
He encouraged families and communities to support nursing mothers by creating enabling environments where they could breastfeed confidently and without discrimination.
“Protecting, promoting and supporting breastfeeding is a collective responsibility and a strategic investment in healthier children, healthier mothers, and a healthier society.
“Together, let us strengthen what works and ensure that every child has a sustainable start in life through optimal breastfeeding.”
(NAN)
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