Breast feeding and infant mortality.

As breast feeding is declining in Nigeria, infant mortality rates are rising
When was the last time you saw a woman breast feed her baby either in the bus, office or at the market place? In Nigeria today, it is fast becoming an old fashioned practice to see a woman take pride in breast feeding her little one. Even in most cases, young Nigerian women see it as over- labouring their whole being. While some describe it as being “old school” to breast feed a baby exclusively for at least six months, some say it causes the breasts to sag faster. Apparently, ignorant of the fact that breast feeding still remains the ideal means of providing essential nutrients through the breast milk for a growing infant, several mothers still resort to artificial milk.
No wonder latest reports by the United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF) as recorded in the 2008 ear’s World Breast Feeding Week shows that in Nigeria the figure of breast is becoming lower, rather than increasing.
The UNICEF reports also shows that the gains previously made in exclusive breastfeeding are being eroded in Nigeria today. According to available statistics, in 1999, 22 per cent of children were exclusively breastfed in the country, unfortunately, this came down to 17 per cent in 2003, today only 11.7 per cent of children are exclusively breastfed for six months in Nigeria.
However, over the years experts have found that breast feeding provides the best possible start to life in all areas of development. Evidences have confirmed that early initiation of a child to breastfeeding and exclusive breastfeeding practices for the first six months of a child’s life can save more than one million babies. Similarly, in the recent years and with ample evidences, breast feeding has been justifiably called the ‘Gold Standard’ for infant.
To mark this year’s World Breast Feeding Week with the theme, “Mother Support: Going for Gold” with the Slogan “Everyone Wins”, UNICEF , along with the World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action (WABA) and the World Health Organization (WHO), have recommended the provision of increased professional and informal support for breastfeeding mothers.
According to UNICEF Executive Director, Ann M. Veneman, “Breastfeeding is a key tool in improving child survival and exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life can avert up to 13 per cent of under-five deaths in developing countries like Nigeria.
UNICEF noted that although there has been progress over the past 15 years, only 38 per cent of infants under six months of age in the developing world are exclusively breastfed.
Recent scientific studies have found that education and support for mothers significantly extends the number of months that mothers breastfeed, and is especially helpful in promoting exclusive breastfeeding. Other studies have shown that counselling and support in health facilities have led to increases in the number of mothers who initiate breastfeeding within the first hour of birth.
Exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life reduces infant mortality linked to common childhood illnesses and under nutrition.
Breastfeeding can reduce the number of deaths caused by acute respiratory infection and diarrhea - two major child killers - as well as from other infectious diseases. It also contributes to the health of mothers, and creates a bond between the mother and child.
Appropriate infant feeding can save lives, ensure optimal growth and development, and contribute to the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals.The breast feeding is celebrated is in 192 countries from 1st August to 7th annually across the world.