By Murtala Muhammad.
Health experts have emphasised that early initiation of breastfeeding, six months of exclusive breastfeeding and continued complementary feeding for two years are essential to children’s cognitive development and the prevention of malnutrition, particularly during the first 1,000 days of life.
They stated these at a news conference to mark the 2026 World Breastfeeding Week in Bauchi, organised by the Bauchi State Primary Health Care Board in collaboration with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and other development partners.
The first 1,000 days, spanning from conception to a child’s second birthday, were described as a critical period for brain development, laying the foundation for learning, memory, behaviour and lifelong health.
Speaking at the event, the Executive Chairman of the Bauchi State Primary Health Care Board, Dr Rilwanu Mohammed, called on fathers to feed their spouses well to enable them breastfeeding their children optimally.
He also appealed to mothers-in-law and other family members to respect nursing mothers’ breastfeeding choice, noting that many women willing to practise exclusive breastfeeding were often discouraged by relatives.
Dr Mohammed reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to improving child nutrition, pledging the governor’s readiness to release the earlier promised ₦500 million counterpart contribution to the Child Nutrition Fund (CNF) and strengthen community resource groups promoting breastfeeding practices and other maternal and child health support.
The Chief of UNICEF Bauchi Field Office, Dr Nuzhat Rafique, commended the state government for approving six months of maternity leave and establishing crèches in formal workplaces, describing the measures as important steps towards improving maternal and child health.
Dr Rafique, however, called on the government, the media and other stakeholders to intensify efforts to improve the state’s 12 per cent early initiation of breastfeeding rate and the 26 per cent exclusive breastfeeding rate through continued advocacy and public awareness.
