The United Nations Children Emergency Fund (UNICEF) has said that exclusive breastfeeding does not only protect the child, but also the mother at birth.
Dr Oluniyi Oyedekun, a Nutrition Specialist with UNICEF made this known on Wednesday, at a one-day media sensitisation organised by the UNICEF Kano Feld Office.
In the team presentation to celebrate the World Breastfeeding Week made by Dr Oyedekun, he revealed that exclusive breastfeeding helps reduce the risk of uterine bleeding in women.
He revealed that breastfeeding could also help the uterus return to its normal size after birth, as well help in returning to pre-pregnancy weight.
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He said “Exclusive breastfeeding also reduces the risk of breast and ovarian cancer and also help in delaying a new pregnancy.”
In respect of the child, the expert noted that lack of exclusive breastfeeding has adverse effect on the child’s cognitive development.
Furthermore, Dr Oyedekun highlighted that failure to exclusively breastfeed a child could lead to infant mortality and neonatal deaths.
In his remarks, the Deputy Director, Kano Primary Health Development Board, Mr Murtala Inuwa, said the state government had been at its best in educating women about importance of exclusive breastfeeding.
The one-day media dialogue was organised as part of activities to celebrate the World Breastfeeding Week, celebrated all over the globe.
