Nigeria is facing a breastfeeding crisis, with only about three in every 10 infants being exclusively breastfed for the first six months of life. Despite public health campaigns and scientific evidence on the benefits of breastmilk, millions of children are missing out on this critical child-survival intervention. The failure to close this gap exposes deeper pressures, including poverty, insecure employment, cultural practices, and weak institutional support. Many mothers, particularly those in the informal sector, are forced to return to work within weeks of childbirth, with no paid maternity leave or breastfeeding-friendly workplaces.
The benefits of exclusive breastfeeding are far-reaching, with breastmilk providing complete nutrition for the first six months and delivering antibodies, immune cells, and other protective substances that help shield infants from disease. Babies who are not exclusively breastfed face higher risks of diarrhoeal diseases, pneumonia, ear infections, and malnutrition, which drive childhood illness and deaths across low- and middle-income countries. They are also more likely to require hospitalization during infancy. Experts describe breastmilk as a baby's first vaccine, highlighting the need for urgent action to promote exclusive breastfeeding.
According to Professor Beatrice Oganah-Ikujenyo, a Professor of Home Economics (Nutrition) at Lagos State University of Education, one of the major barriers to exclusive breastfeeding in Nigeria is cultural beliefs that infants need water and herbal mixtures alongside breast milk. There is pressure from mothers or mothers-in-law who come for omugwo to give babies water in hot weather, believing that the fluid in breast milk is insufficient to hydrate the child. The grandmother's influence or that of older relatives in the family can also override health workers' advice and recommendations on exclusive breastfeeding.
Workplace challenges, especially for working or employed mothers, are another significant barrier to exclusive breastfeeding. Few states approve six months of maternity leave for working mothers, and even in states that approve three months, there is no provision for a lactation room in the workplace where mothers can keep their babies while they work and go breastfeed infants on demand. Other barriers include poor health system support for breastfeeding mothers and misinformation about the benefits of exclusive breastfeeding in Nigeria.
The consequences of not exclusively breastfeeding infants during their first six months are severe, including a higher likelihood of diarrhoea, malnutrition, and high infant morbidity and mortality. Infants who are not exclusively breastfed also face reduced cognitive development, which may lead to poor learning outcomes or difficulty in learning in school later in life. This may increase the dropout rate in schools. Experts emphasize the need for urgent action to address these challenges and promote exclusive breastfeeding.
To address Nigeria's low exclusive breastfeeding rate, Professor Oganah-Ikujenyo recommends a four-dimensional approach, including community engagement via community education, workplace reforms, media advocacy, and health campaigns that respect traditions while correcting misconceptions. Employers of labour must extend maternity leave to six months and/or provide breastfeeding-friendly facilities in the workplace. Local health workers, the Ministry of Health, and NGOs related to health and children should promote the Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI) and counter misinformation about breastfeeding.
The Nigerian government, employers, health facilities, and families all share responsibility for the country's low exclusive breastfeeding rate. Urgent attention is required to implement policy interventions that support exclusive breastfeeding, including extending maternity leave, providing breastfeeding-friendly workplaces, and promoting community education and media advocacy. By working together, Nigeria can reduce the risks associated with not exclusively breastfeeding and promote the health and well-being of its youngest citizens.
Key points
- Only three in 10 Nigerian infants are exclusively breastfed for the first six months.
- Cultural beliefs, workplace challenges, and poor health system support hinder exclusive breastfeeding in Nigeria.
- Experts recommend community education, workplace reforms, media advocacy, and health campaigns to promote exclusive breastfeeding.
