As the world breastfeeding week has come to an end, a pediatrician Woroma Wonodi is calling on employers to allow breastfeeding in the workplace. Dr. Wonodi who is a consultant pediatrician at the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital (UPTH) in an interview with our reporter said that it will be better if every working institution provide creches so that mothers can continue breastfeeding while working.
Dr. Wonodi further explains that exclusive breastfeeding provides a real source of antibodies and essential nutrients for children and so should be encouraged. She however urges mothers to exclusively breastfeed their children for six months and continue breastfeeding for two years because it makes babies grow healthier, stronger and the baby will never fall sick. Adding that apart from the health benefit of breastmilk, it is also economical for parents.
Another pediatrician Dr. Tamuno Iyowuna spoke on the benefit of breastfeeding. She said exclusive breastfeeding is the most appropriate for a newborn child as it provides all the nutritional needs that the child requires in addition to protecting the child from diseases and death. She revealed that breastfeeding has also been shown to be beneficial not only to the child but to the mother through the family, down to the society at large. Stating that studies have shown that the consequences of not giving adequate breastfeeding to the child resolve malnutrition.
Dr. Kenneth David the CMD of Kendav Hospital in Portharcourt told our reporter that the importance of breastfeeding can not be overemphasised. He said exclusive breastfeeding is an immune booster and there should be no excuse for mothers not to breastfeed their children. Dr. David also said that husbands are supposed to go on leave when their wives give birth, and husbands are meant to always assist their wives during this period to do some house chores so that their wives can relax and gain full and speedy recovery.
