Ignorance, cultural belief hindering exclusive breastfeeding practice – Health Educator

By Ochiaka Ugwu

Lack of knowledge and cultural belief were the most factors hindering exclusive breastfeeding practice, a Health Educator in the FCT Primary Healthcare Board, Mrs. Chinyere Ume has said.
Ume who made this known last week at the flag off of the activities marking the 2024 World Breastfeeding Week with the theme: “Closing the Gap, Breastfeeding Support for All” held at Durumi, Abuja said that ignorance had made some people to believe that first breastmilk which was the colostrum for healthy life for babies was poisonous making them to extract it.
She also stated that cultural belief had made some mother in laws to be in the habit of disabusing the minds of nursing mothers into believing that exclusive breastfeeding was not mandatory.
According to her, “Ignorance, cultural background are most of the factors hindering exclusive breastfeeding. some people believe that the first milk is poisonous and they extract it and throw it away, until they were educated. Barriers from mother-in-law sticking to their cultural belief on how they breast fed their own children during their time.
“We observe World Breastfeeding Week once in a year and is a laudable program world over. It showcases the importance of breastfeeding that states that mothers should engage in exclusive breastfeeding within the first six month of birth starting one hour after birth.
“It is important the baby gets the first breast milk which is the colostrum and it serves as the first immunization the baby gets after birth. With constant awareness creation, people have been highly sensitized on breastfeeding. God created breast milk, empowered it with a lot nutrients and vitamins. And what the baby needs for that six month of life” she said.
Also speaking, FCT Nutrition Specialist for Helen Keller International, Mr. Taiwo Aladesanmi who stated that World Breastfeeding Week was an annual global event done across all nations, informed that Helen Keller International was one of the major supporters of the event and ensuring that it was properly done.
Continuing, Aladesanmi hinted the event was for high level visibility, garner national and global attention, and catalyze action to promote exclusive breastfeeding.