By Ademola Orunbon
In a bid to promote exclusive breastfeeding practice, Ogun State Government has urged employers of labour to create a baby-friendly working environment that will encourage nursing mothers in their respective organisations, to ensure stronger immunity in children.
Commissioner for Health, Dr. Tomi Coker said this in Abeokuta, while speaking with newsmen on the 2022 World Breastfeeding Week with the theme; “Step Up For Breastfeeding, Educate and Teach”, saying the practice of exclusive breastfeeding would provide numerous health benefits for mother and child, as well as the society at large.
Coker added that corporate organisations should provide mini creches and common rooms where nursing mothers could breastfeed their babies appropriately, in order not to deprive children of the nutritional benefits in breast milk and to ensure better performance among working mothers.
“I would implore employers of labour to create a baby-friendly working environment and have common rooms where nursing mothers can breastfeed their children”, she said.
The Commissioner emphasised other derivable benefits of breastfeeding to include; better vision, lower rate of mortality in children, readily available antibodies and substances that naturally soothe infants, as women also enjoy faster weight loss, lower risk of postpartum depression, and better positive mood.
