By Fatoumatta Saidykhan
The National Nutrition Agency (NaNA) has called on institutions to create a friendly breastfeeding environment for working mothers.
On Tuesday, The National Nutrition Agency (NaNA) commemorated World Breastfeeding Week with a theme: “Enabling Breastfeeding: Making a Difference for Working Parents.”
Speaking on the occasion of World Breastfeeding Week, Malang N. Fofana, Deputy Executive Director of the National Nutrition Agency (NaNA), highlighted the importance of the event and urged institutions to provide a friendly breastfeeding environment for working mothers; hence 120 countries commemorate the day and 42 out of which make it a mandate to protect promote and support breastfeeding mothers.
“Every infant and child is entitled to good nutrition according to the Convention on the Rights of the Child. Reflecting on this year’s theme, the World Health Organization(WHO) has reported that more than half a billion working women are not given essential maternity protections nationally. Only a few countries (20%) provide employees with paid breaks and facilities for breastfeeding or expressing milk. WHO further stated that fewer than half of infants under Six months of age are exclusively breastfed globally, while under 45% of child deaths. The World Health Organization further reveals 44% of infants 0โ6 months old are exclusively breastfed, 149 million are estimated to be stunted (too short for age), 45 million are estimated to be wasted (too thin for height), and 38.9 million were overweight or obese.” Mr. Fofana explained.
Mr. Fofana further stated that retaining the placenta and bleeding in labor can cause maternal deaths, but exclusive breastfeeding after birth can stop most maternal deaths.
Fatoumatta Lamarana Jallow, a mother, and employee at NaNA, explained how important exclusive breastfeeding is and some of the challenges she faced in her first pregnancy.
“When I breastfed my child for six months without food and water, I saw numerous differences between her and the others’ health whist and growth.”
She further urged other mothers and yet-to-be mothers to always breastfeed their kids exclusively.
Exclusive breastfeeding is essential in the life of every newborn baby. It helps them to be healthy, helps protect babies against some short and long-term illnesses and diseases, and provides nutrition in the first six months after birth.
