OYO FIRST LADY CALLS FOR COLLABORATION ON BREAST FEEDING

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Wife of Oyo Governor, Mrs. Tamunominini Makinde has called on stakeholders across the state to join hands in creating a society where breastfeeding new babies is a norm.

She said all hands must be on deck to ensure provision of a place where nursing mothers feel safe to breastfeed their babies, saying in doing that, ‘we are building a healthier future for our babies.

Speaking on Tuesday in Ibadan at the World Breast Feeding Week, organised by office of the Wife of Oyo Governor in collaboration with Oyo State Primary Healthcare Board, Mrs. Makinde maintained that breastfeeding is the first step towards giving children best possible start in life.

She stated that breast milk is a natural vaccine that provides infant necessary antibody to fight diseases, and also provided essential nutrients for babies and strengthen their immune system.

According to her, constant breastfeeding will also foster unique bond between mother’s and children, thereby laying foundation of life time of love and care.

She said: “Despite breastfeeding important and advantages, yet some mother’s face some challenges in initiating and sustaining especially in public places and work places and there is need to close this gap and ensure that every child in Oyo state benefit from the life saving nutrition that breast milk provides.

“Closing the gap need collective effort of all and we all need to share the responsibility to support our nursing mother’s because it is crucial.”

She commended Governor Makinde for approving six-month pay maternity leave for women in Oyo State which according to her will enable nursing mother’s to focus on breastfeeding their babies, calling on private employer to do the same for babies to have healthy start.

She thanked the primary healthcare workers in the state for their dedication and hard working, saying they are on the frontline on breastfeeding campaign because they are the first point of contact for mother at PHCs across the state.

She applauded them for their professional advise and support they provide for nursing mother’s on breastfeeding.