Why It’s Necessary For Every Nursing mother to practice exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) -By Chammatam Alfred

According to the definition the World Health Organization (WHO), Exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) is the situation in which an infant receives only breast milk from his/her mother or a wet nurse for the first 6 months and no other solids or liquids with the exception of drops or syrups consisting of vitamins, minerals, supplements, or medicines.

Breastfeeding is more than the act of just feeding your little one. It also provides an incredible number of health benefits to both you and your baby, because it contains all the water, nutrients, antibodies, and other factors an infant requires to thrive. Breast milk is the best source of nutrition for most babies. As the baby grows, the mother’s breast milk will change to meet the baby’s nutritional needs. Breastfeeding can help protect babies against some short- and long-term illnesses and diseases such as; asthma, obesity, type 1 diabetes, and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Breastfed babies are also less likely to have ear infections and stomach bugs. Breast milk shares antibodies from the mother with her baby which help babies develop a strong immune system and protect them from illnesses. Mothers can feed their babies on the go without worrying about having to mix formula or prepare bottles. When traveling, breastfeeding can also provide a source of comfort for babies whose normal routine is disrupted. Breastfeeding has health benefits for the mother too! Some cancers, type 2 diabetes, and high blood pressure are less common among women who breastfeed.

Exclusive breastfeeding practice was very low as compared to recommendations of infant and young child practice (IYCF) which recommends children to exclusively breastfeed for the first 6 months of life. Exclusive breastfeeding practice is associated with social and cultural pressures to introduce artificial and water‐based foods, as well as mothers’ perceptions that breastmilk alone cannot satisfy their infants’ nutritional demands. Other difficulties include the perception of insufficient breastmilk, painful nipples, returning to school or work, and inadequate latching, The difficulties of EBF include women expressing a mentality of worry that the child would develop an addiction to breastmilk, babies refusing breastmilk, and babies not getting enough weight.

To ensure significant improvement in the practice of exclusive breastfeeding by nursing mothers there will be need for both private, public sectors and NGOs in active promotion and enlightenment on EBF program through mass media campaign as this will ensure reaching out to public both rural and urban dwellers.