The wife of Governor Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau, Helen, says the state has recorded a significant increase in exclusive breastfeeding practices from 19 per cent to 38 per cent.

Mrs Mutfuang stated this in Jos on Tuesday, at the commemoration of the 2023 World Breastfeeding Week, with the theme, “Enabling Breastfeeding, Making a Difference for Working Parents”.

She, however, said despite the impressive feat, there was still much work to be done to improve the uptake of breastmilk for its immense benefit to both the baby and mother.

“We must intensify efforts to promote early initiation of breastfeeding and exclusive breastfeeding for infants aged zero to six months.

“This is more critical when we consider the poor nutrition indices still prevalent in our state”, she said.

She pointed out that research has shown that breastfeeding reduces the risk of various infections, such as ear infections, respiratory illnesses, and gastrointestinal disorders in infants.

She added that optimally breastfed children were at a lower risk of developing chronic diseases later in life, including obesity, type 2 diabetes, and asthma.

“Furthermore, optimal breastfeeding positively impacts the national economy by lowering healthcare costs and cultivating a smarter, healthier workforce,” she said.

The governor’s wife said the state government had created a creche at the Ministry of Budget and Planning, adding that it would soon be operational.

This, according to her, will support lactating working mothers to continue to breastfeed when they resume their maternity leave, in line with the 2023 theme.

She called on stakeholders from the formal and informal sectors to provide a conducive environment, such as lactating rooms and nursing breaks, to enable working mothers to breastfeed their babies.

“We all must join hands with the government to create an enabling environment that supports women in providing the best care for their infants,” she said.

The governor’s wife awarded three mothers who had optimally breastfed babies at the Jos South Primary Healthcare Center in Bukuru.

The mothers received baby items and cash prizes to encourage other mothers.

(NAN)