Fidson urges women to increase breastfeeding

Fidson Healthcare Plc has called on Nigerian mothers to embrace exclusive breastfeeding of their babies. The call was made in commemoration of the World Breastfeeding Week. Speaking on behalf of the company, its Marketing Manager, Mr. Friday Enaholo, said exclusive breastfeeding prevents diseases and infections among babies. He said, “The company is concerned with the health and well-being of the Nigerian mother and child, considering the World Health Organisation’s report which attributes infant mortality to a lack of adequate breastfeeding.” The WHO estimates that deaths of children younger than five years old would reduce by 13 to 20 per cent globally if babies are breastfed exclusively for their first six months, and up to two years or longer with complementary feeding starting at six months of age. Enaholo said since breastfeeding “is a natural interaction between mother and baby,” it does not really need a special week to raise awareness for it. He urged Nigerians to support breastfeeding, especially among working mothers, “because a happy mother is a productive employee.”He also advised nursing mothers to eat wholesome foods, while not neglecting to take nutritional supplement, such as Cestra Pre-natal, which contains micronutrients, vitamins and other nutritional elements in the right quantity and combination. “This will enable optimal growth of baby and ensure the wellbeing of the mother,” Enaholo said. He advised the government to enact laws that support a breastfeeding employee, while it should also enforce existing labour laws in this regard.