UNICEF Challenges Women To Embrace Holistic Breastfeeding

UNICEF has challenged mothers across the country, particularly in Imo State, to embrace holistic breast feeding for children’s sustainable health and vitality.

The international organisation made the call through the communication officer, Enugu Field Office, Dr Ijeoma Onuoha-Ogwe, as part of activities marking the 2026 World Breastfeeding Week.
They urged urging women in the state to practise exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life, and to continue breastfeeding alongside complementary foods up to two years.

In its advocacy, the media team also visited the Community Health Centre in Iho, Ikeduru local government area, to reinforce messages learned at a two‑day training organised by UNICEF’s Enugu Field Office for media professionals.

The workshop trained media actors on exclusive breastfeeding techniques and the role of the press in public education.

Armed with the training, the journalists used the health‑centre visit to encourage mothers to give newborns only breast milk for the first six months, stressing the importance of colostrum as the baby’s first immunological protection and vital source of nutrients.

Speaking during the visit, the journalists told mothers to delay introducing water and other foods until after six months and to continue breastfeeding until at least two years.

They framed exclusive breastfeeding as both a health and economic intervention – saying it supports infants’ physical and mental development while saving families the cost of infant formula and reducing exposure to unsafe water and feeding practices.

The visitors also advised mothers on safe ways to boost breast‑milk production, recommending fruits, vegetables, nuts and milk rather than alcohol or other harmful substances.

Matron of the Community Health Centre, Mrs Queen Nwachukwu, said staff routinely remind mothers about the benefits of exclusive breastfeeding but noted persistent cultural beliefs that newborns need water from day one.

She urged mothers to hold firm to exclusive breastfeeding for the bonding and hygienic advantages of breast milk, and raised operational concerns at the facility, including incidents of thieves carting away clinic equipment that hamper service delivery.

Mothers who attended the event gave mixed but largely positive reactions.

Mrs Nneoma Tobenna said she had worried that becoming pregnant again before completing six months of exclusive breastfeeding might force her to stop, but was reassured that breastfeeding can continue during subsequent pregnancy.

Mrs Happiness Ekeoha thanked UNICEF for the enlightenment and pledged to insist on exclusive breastfeeding, while Mrs Chinyere Eziukwu urged other mothers to adopt the practice, saying it had worked well for her in the past.

Earlier at the workshop, UNICEF’s Nutrition Specialist for the Enugu Field Office, Mrs Ngozi Onuorah, explained the theme for this year’s World Breastfeeding Week, “Breastfeeding for a Sustainable Start in Life: Strengthen What Works.”

She highlighted that breast milk provides the full complement of nutrients a baby needs in the first six months postpartum and described breastfeeding as the most effective route to healthy early development.

Mrs Onuorah called on the media to shape public opinion, correct misinformation, promote positive social norms, hold institutions accountable, amplify mothers’ voices, and showcase successful breastfeeding stories to increase adoption.