The Health Writers Association of Nigeria (HEWAN) has taken its breastfeeding advocacy campaign to Majidun community in Ikorodu, Lagos State, urging pregnant women and nursing mothers to embrace recommended breastfeeding practices and seek professional support when they encounter difficulties.
Speaking during a World Breastfeeding Week community outreach at the Majidun Primary Health Centre, the President of HEWAN, Vivian Ihechu, stressed the importance of early initiation of breastfeeding, exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months and continued breastfeeding alongside appropriate complementary feeding up to two years and beyond.
Ihechu said the theme of the 2026 World Breastfeeding Week, “Breastfeeding for a Sustainable Start in Life: Strengthen What Works,” was a reminder of the need to reinforce proven community health structures and protect natural infant feeding practices from harmful myths, commercial pressures and unnecessary substitutes.
She urged mothers to put their babies to the breast within the first hour after delivery, noting that the early breast milk known as colostrum contains antibodies that help protect newborns against infections.
She also encouraged mothers to practise exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months, without giving babies water, teas or herbal concoctions.
According to her, breastfeeding provides important health benefits to both babies and mothers and contributes to reducing infant mortality and family healthcare costs.
Ihechu said HEWAN was using its professional platform to provide communities with accurate, life-saving health information and advocacy on maternal and child health.
She said the association was also providing mothers at the outreach with practical guidance on proper latching positions, overcoming breastfeeding challenges and maintaining good hygiene.
‘Do not throw away colostrum’
The Medical Officer of Health, Ikorodu West Local Council Development Area, Dr Opeyemi Osunyomi, also urged mothers not to discard colostrum, describing it as a baby’s “first natural vaccine.”
She explained that colostrum, produced after childbirth, is rich in antibodies and essential nutrients that help protect newborns against infections even before routine immunisations are administered.
Osunyomi said breastfeeding also promoted emotional bonding between mother and child through physical contact, eye contact and the mother’s voice.
She called for greater involvement of fathers in childcare, saying fathers should actively participate in caring for their children from infancy in order to build lasting emotional relationships.
Mothers urged to eat locally available foods
Speaking on “Optimizing Maternal Nutrition for Adequate Lactation,” Osunyomi advised breastfeeding mothers to maintain balanced diets using affordable, locally available foods rather than feeling compelled to purchase expensive meals.
She identified fish, eggs, vegetables, fruits, carbohydrates and other locally sourced foods as useful components of a balanced diet when consumed in appropriate proportions.
She also called on women in the community to support pregnant and breastfeeding mothers who may be facing financial or nutritional difficulties.
According to her, investing in maternal health ultimately benefits families and communities because healthy children are more likely to grow into productive adults.
Warning against self-medication
Osunyomi further advised pregnant and breastfeeding women to seek professional medical care when they fall ill rather than resorting to self-medication or unverified traditional remedies.
She warned that some medications and herbal preparations may be unsafe during pregnancy and breastfeeding and urged women to consult healthcare professionals for appropriate treatment.
She also emphasised the importance of personal and environmental hygiene, saying clean surroundings and good hygiene practices help reduce the risk of infections.
The Medical Officer of Health equally drew attention to maternal mental and emotional well-being, urging mothers not to suffer in silence when facing emotional or psychological difficulties.
She encouraged them to discuss their concerns with trusted family members, friends, religious leaders or healthcare professionals.
Osunyomi noted that emotional stress and poor mental health could affect appetite, physical health and breastfeeding, making strong community support networks essential.
She urged mothers to prioritise proper nutrition, maintain good hygiene, seek timely medical attention and support one another.
She said healthy mothers were better positioned to nurture healthy babies and contribute to stronger families and communities.
