In a groundbreaking development, working mothers in Bauchi State have adopted the use of breast pumps to extract and preserve breast milk, enabling them to feed their babies during office hours and travel.
The breast pump is expected to transform the lives of working mothers by helping them balance uninterrupted breastfeeding with their careers.
A mother, Mrs Queen Uche, who is also a student of Mass Communication at the Federal Polytechnic Bauchi, said the device has helped her to continue breastfeeding her baby while attending classes.
She explained that she uses the pump to extract milk for her baby, who is cared for by a nanny, ensuring that the child receives proper nourishment at all times.
But Mrs Uche only relies on the pump when she is away at school and resumes direct breastfeeding as soon as she returns home.
A public health expert at Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU) Bauchi, Dr Abdulmajid Ahmed, explained the various benefits of breast pumps for nursing mothers.
He noted that the device is particularly useful for medical reasons, such as relieving breast engorgement when a baby is not sucking adequately.
He further explained that breast pumps help stimulate milk production and assist babies who have difficulty latching onto the breast.
Dr Ahmed advised mothers to practice proper hygiene when using breast pumps to prevent contamination.
“Nursing mothers should thoroughly sterilise all pumping equipment and storage bottles to prevent contamination,” he enjoined.
