UNICEF Raises Alarm Over Poor Breastfeeding Practices

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has raised concern over the low rate of exclusive breastfeeding in Bauchi State, warning that the poor indicators pose a serious threat to child survival and development.

Speaking during a media briefing to mark World Breastfeeding Week yesterday, nutrition specialist at UNICEF Bauchi Field Office, Philomena Irene, described the state of breastfeeding in Bauchi as “unfavourable,” citing data from the 2021 Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) which revealed that only 26 percent of children were exclusively breastfed, while just 12 percent were breastfed within the first hour of birth.

“This is not just a health issue, it’s a survival issue. Breastfeeding is the first vaccine a child receives and we are committed to supporting Bauchi State to ensure that every child is put to breast immediately after birth,” she said.

Also speaking, Chief of Field Office, UNICEF Bauchi Dr. Nuzat Rafique lamented the high rate of child malnutrition in the state, stating that nearly half of all children in Bauchi are malnourished.

“There are a lot of malnourished children, and the solution begins with the first hour of life. Every child should be breastfed within that first hour and exclusively breastfed for the first six months. After that, complementary foods can be introduced, not before,” Dr. Rafique emphasised.

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Dr Rafique also appealed to the Bauchi State Government to fulfil its promise of releasing counterpart funds to scale up nutrition interventions across the state.

She called for greater investment in health systems, improved training for healthcare providers, and the implementation of family-friendly policies such as six months of paid maternity leave for working mothers.

Nutrition Officer at the Bauchi State Primary Health Care Board, Abubakar Sale expressed appreciation for UNICEF’s continued support and affirmed the state government’s commitment to improving breastfeeding indicators.

“We are working to reverse these trends, and with the support of partners like UNICEF, we are hopeful,” he said.