By Vicky Attah, Correspondent
The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare has called on Nigerians to strengthen support for breastfeeding as the country joins the rest of the world to commemorate the 2026 World Breastfeeding Week from August 1 to 7.
In a statement issued on Tuesday by the ministry’s Assistant Director of Information and Public Relations, the ministry said this year’s commemoration would focus on creating enabling environments for mothers at home, in communities, healthcare facilities and workplaces to breastfeed successfully.
The statement said the 2026 theme, “Breastfeeding for a Sustainable Start in Life: Strengthen What Works,” underscores the need to build on proven strategies that have improved breastfeeding practices while assessing progress toward better nutrition, food security and poverty reduction.
The ministry said breastfeeding is the foundation of lifelong health, noting that it provides optimal nutrition for infants, strengthens immunity, supports healthy brain development, improves child survival and contributes significantly to human capital development and national productivity.
It added that promoting and protecting breastfeeding also helps reduce healthcare costs while advancing food security and social equity.
According to the ministry, every mother deserves the support needed to breastfeed successfully, stressing that families, healthcare providers, employers, communities and policymakers all have critical roles to play in ensuring breastfeeding mothers receive adequate care, encouragement and workplace support.
The ministry reaffirmed its recommendations that mothers should initiate breastfeeding within one hour of birth, practise exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life, and introduce appropriate complementary foods from six months while continuing breastfeeding up to two years of age or beyond.
It further stated that breastmilk remains the ideal food for infants because it is safe, readily available, affordable and hygienic, while providing the first line of protection against many common childhood illnesses.
The statement added that increased breastfeeding would also help families avoid the high financial burden associated with infant formula and preventable diseases.
As part of activities marking the 2026 World Breastfeeding Week, the ministry said a national commemoration would hold on Monday, August 3, alongside a press briefing by the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare.
Other activities scheduled for the week include community outreach programmes, health worker training, media campaigns and advocacy activities across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
The ministry called on Nigerians to support mothers in breastfeeding in line with national recommendations, saying, “Collective action to protect, promote and support breastfeeding is an investment in healthier children, stronger families and a more prosperous Nigeria.”
