The Bauchi State Government has launched the 2026 World Breastfeeding Week with a commitment of N500 million to the Child Nutrition Fund.
Health officials also used the event to dismiss the belief that breastfeeding causes sagging breasts, describing it as a harmful misconception that discourages mothers from exclusively breastfeeding their babies.
Speaking on Monday, the Executive Chairman of the Bauchi State Primary Health Care Development Board, Dr. Rilwanu Mohammed, warned that denying babies breast milk puts them at risk of malnutrition and other illnesses.
He said breasts naturally sag with age and not because of breastfeeding, urging mothers to embrace exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of a child’s life.
UNICEF Bauchi Field Office Chief, Dr. Nuzhat Rafique, described breastfeeding as a life-saving practice that improves children’s health and survival.
She said this year’s theme, “Breastfeeding for a Sustainable Start in Life: Strengthen What Works,” encourages governments and families to support proven child nutrition interventions.
Rafique praised the Bauchi State Government for approving six months of paid maternity leave and allocating N500 million as counterpart funding for the Child Nutrition Fund.
She expressed hope that the funds would be released quickly to procure essential nutrition supplies for children.
According to her, although more than 90 per cent of mothers in Bauchi breastfeed their children, only 12 per cent begin breastfeeding within the first hour after birth.
She added that just 26 per cent of infants are exclusively breastfed during their first six months of life.
Rafique explained that newborns should receive colostrum immediately after birth, describing it as a baby’s first natural protection against diseases.
She warned against giving newborns water, honey or local drinks, saying such practices expose them to infections, diarrhoea and malnutrition.
She also called on fathers, families, employers and government institutions to support nursing mothers through family-friendly policies, including workplace crèches and full implementation of paid maternity leave.
Health officials said the combination of public awareness, government funding and stronger support for breastfeeding could significantly improve child nutrition and survival across Bauchi State.
