The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare has called on Nigerians to support breastfeeding mothers as the country joins the global community to commemorate the 2026 World Breastfeeding Week from August 1 to 7.
The Ministry, in a statement on Tuesday, said this year’s theme, “Breastfeeding for a Sustainable Start in Life: Strengthen What Works,” underscores the need to build on proven interventions that have improved breastfeeding practices while advancing better nutrition, food security and poverty reduction.
It described breastfeeding as the foundation of lifelong health, noting that it provides optimal nutrition for infants, strengthens immunity, supports healthy brain development, improves child survival and contributes to national productivity through human capital development.
According to the Ministry, promoting and protecting breastfeeding also helps reduce healthcare costs, enhances food security and promotes social equity.
The Ministry stressed that successful breastfeeding requires the collective support of families, healthcare workers, employers, communities and policymakers, urging stakeholders to create enabling environments for nursing mothers at home, in health facilities and workplaces.
It reiterated its recommendations that mothers should initiate breastfeeding within one hour of birth, exclusively breastfeed their babies for the first six months, and introduce appropriate complementary foods from six months while continuing breastfeeding up to two years of age or beyond.
The Ministry further noted that breastmilk remains the ideal source of nutrition for infants because it is safe, hygienic, readily available and affordable, while providing protection against many common childhood illnesses. It added that increased breastfeeding also reduces the financial burden associated with infant formula and preventable diseases.
As part of activities marking the 2026 World Breastfeeding Week, the Ministry said a national commemoration will hold on Monday, August 3, alongside a press briefing by the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, community outreach programmes, health worker training, media campaigns and advocacy activities across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
The Ministry appealed to all Nigerians to support mothers in adhering to national breastfeeding recommendations, describing collective efforts to protect, promote and support breastfeeding as an investment in healthier children, stronger families and a more prosperous Nigeria.
