Nurturing Nursing: Locating Assistance for Breastfeeding in Nigeria
In Nigeria, mothers can find a wealth of support systems to navigate the breastfeeding journey. Local hospitals and health centers, community health clinics, and specialized professionals such as lactation consultants and nurses offer invaluable assistance.
To make the most of this support, mothers are encouraged to seek help early, ask questions, build a support network, and utilize reliable resources. By doing so, they can confidently overcome the challenges of breastfeeding and ensure the best possible start for their babies.
Breastfeeding support is not only essential for the health and well-being of mothers and babies but also has long-term impacts on the child's health and development. It plays a crucial role in ensuring that mothers and babies receive the full range of benefits associated with breastfeeding.
However, Nigeria faces several challenges that impact breastfeeding practices. Health-related challenges, including outdated practices and limited training among healthcare professionals, contribute to low breastfeeding rates. Additionally, the absence of breastfeeding-friendly policies in workplaces and public spaces further hinders women from breastfeeding exclusively.
To address these challenges, various initiatives are being implemented. Community outreach and education campaigns, such as the Lagos Food Bank Initiative's NUMEPLAN program, promote awareness, empower mothers, and provide practical support at the community level.
Digital health technologies, like mHealth, AI, SMS-based systems, mobile apps, and decision-support tools, are being expanded to improve maternal and child health outcomes. These tools enhance early detection of maternal and infant risks and deliver personalized breastfeeding and health advice, particularly in underserved areas.
The commitment to World Health Organization breastfeeding targets, such as increasing exclusive breastfeeding rates to 50% by 2025, underscores a strategic focus on improving breastfeeding rates through policy and program interventions.
Workplace support efforts, led by organizations like UNICEF Nigeria, conduct awareness and training sessions to support breastfeeding mothers at work by promoting supportive workplace policies and environments.
Sustainable support systems are also being developed, emphasizing investment in breastfeeding education, practical support, and health infrastructure to promote long-term successful breastfeeding.
Online resources and forums provide additional information and advice on breastfeeding, with numerous websites, blogs, and social media platforms dedicated to the topic. Support group meetings and workshops are valuable resources for breastfeeding moms to connect with others facing similar challenges.
Embracing breastfeeding support in Nigeria involves a proactive approach, seeking help early, asking questions, building a support network, and utilizing reliable resources. The wealth of support systems, from healthcare professionals to community groups, is a testament to the collective commitment to ensuring every mother's success in breastfeeding.
[1] Lagos Food Bank Initiative. (2025). NUMEPLAN: Empowering Mothers through Breastfeeding Support. [Online]. Available: https://www.lagosfoodbank.org/numeplan-breastfeeding-support
[2] Federal Ministry of Health. (2025). Digital Health Innovations for Improved Maternal and Child Health Outcomes in Nigeria. [Online]. Available: https://www.fmoh.gov.ng/digital-health-innovations
[3] National Primary Health Care Development Agency. (2025). Nigeria's Journey Towards Meeting the WHO Breastfeeding Targets. [Online]. Available: https://nphcdagov.ng/nigerias-journey-towards-meeting-the-who-breastfeeding-targets
[4] UNICEF Nigeria. (2025). Supporting Breastfeeding Mothers at Work. [Online]. Available: https://www.unicef.org/nigeria/breastfeeding_mothers_at_work
[5] Save the Children. (2025). Investing in Sustainable Breastfeeding Support Systems in Nigeria. [Online]. Available: https://www.savethechildren.org/nigeria/our-work/health/breastfeeding-support-systems
- To ensure a healthy start for their babies and support motherhood, expectant mothers should explore available support systems for breastfeeding in Nigeria, such as hospitals, health centers, clinics, lactation consultants, and nurses.
- As breastfeeding practices are essential for the long-term health and development of babies, it is crucial for mothers in Nigeria to seek help early, ask questions, and build a supportive network to help them navigate breastfeeding challenges.
- By delivering practical support at the community level, initiatives like the Lagos Food Bank Initiative's NUMEPLAN program can empower mothers and improve breastfeeding rates.
- Digital health technologies, like mHealth, AI, and SMS-based systems, are being implemented to enhance maternal and child health outcomes by providing personalized breastfeeding advice and early detection of risks in underserved areas.
- Organizations like UNICEF Nigeria are leading workplace support efforts by conducting awareness and training sessions to promote breastfeeding-friendly policies and environments for working mothers.
- To promote long-term successful breastfeeding, sustainable support systems are being developed, focusing on investment in breastfeeding education, practical support, and health infrastructure.
- By embracing resources like websites, blogs, social media platforms, and support groups dedicated to breastfeeding, mothers can access valuable information and connect with others facing the same challenges.
- The Federal Ministry of Health and National Primary Health Care Development Agency are working towards meeting the World Health Organization breastfeeding targets by implementing policy and program interventions.
- Supporting breastfeeding mothers in Nigeria involves a proactive approach, leveraging the wealth of resources available, such as healthcare professionals, community groups, and digital technologies, to ensure every mother's success in breastfeeding.
