- Written by Ubong Anthony - Calabar
- Thursday, 24 October 2013 03:51
MEN in the country have been warned to steer clear of their
wives’ breasts while breastfeeding their babies to avoid inflicting
wounds on the breasts, exposing infants to infection.
Cross River State Commissioner for Health, Mrs Angela Oyo-Ita, gave the warning on Tuesday, while flagging-off the 2013 Breast Feeding Week at Akpabuyo Local Government Council headquarters of the state.
She stated that men sharing their wives’ breasts while they were breastfeeding could inflict wound on the breasts and if the woman was HIV positive, the child could be exposed to the infection.
The commissioner, who was represented by the Director of Nutrition in the Ministry of Health, Mrs Regina Adie, advised women to practise exclusive breast- feeding, because it had been proven that breast milk contains 80 per cent water and 20 per cent minerals, which were essential for child’s growth.
“The World Health Organisation (WHO), the United Nations International Children Educational Fund (UNICEF) and other renowned world agencies have carried out studies and it has proven that breast milk is the best in keeping a child healthy, strong and happ,” she said.
According to her, myths that a child, who was exclusively fed on breast milk for six months would at some point die out of thirst was not true, because beast milk contains enough water to keep the child happy and satisfied.
“Some time ago, we came here and had a meeting with men, called on them to support their wives to carry out exclusive breastfeeding for their children and they said no, because the children would die from thirst for water, but that is not true,” she said.
Oyo-Ita maintained that the theme for this year’s breastfeeding week: “Breastfeeding, close to mother,” was apt, because the relationship between mother and child becomes stronger when the mother breastfed the baby exclusively for six months.
“If you look at the face of your baby during breastfeeding, you will see joy and satisfaction on his face and that brings the child closer to the mother,” she said.
Mrs Rosemary Effiong, chairman of Akpabuyo Local Government Area of the state said breastfeeding kept children strong and free of health challenges and “we in Akpabuyo do not want to have children, who would put unnecessary pressure on our health facilities. So, let every mother listen and obey the instruction of the focal person as regards breastfeeding.”
Mrs Effiong, who was represented by secretary of council, Mr Edem Okon, said the council would continue to offer the needed support to mothers through financial empowerment to enable them feed well in order to breastfeed their babies.
Cross River State Commissioner for Health, Mrs Angela Oyo-Ita, gave the warning on Tuesday, while flagging-off the 2013 Breast Feeding Week at Akpabuyo Local Government Council headquarters of the state.
She stated that men sharing their wives’ breasts while they were breastfeeding could inflict wound on the breasts and if the woman was HIV positive, the child could be exposed to the infection.
The commissioner, who was represented by the Director of Nutrition in the Ministry of Health, Mrs Regina Adie, advised women to practise exclusive breast- feeding, because it had been proven that breast milk contains 80 per cent water and 20 per cent minerals, which were essential for child’s growth.
“The World Health Organisation (WHO), the United Nations International Children Educational Fund (UNICEF) and other renowned world agencies have carried out studies and it has proven that breast milk is the best in keeping a child healthy, strong and happ,” she said.
According to her, myths that a child, who was exclusively fed on breast milk for six months would at some point die out of thirst was not true, because beast milk contains enough water to keep the child happy and satisfied.
“Some time ago, we came here and had a meeting with men, called on them to support their wives to carry out exclusive breastfeeding for their children and they said no, because the children would die from thirst for water, but that is not true,” she said.
Oyo-Ita maintained that the theme for this year’s breastfeeding week: “Breastfeeding, close to mother,” was apt, because the relationship between mother and child becomes stronger when the mother breastfed the baby exclusively for six months.
“If you look at the face of your baby during breastfeeding, you will see joy and satisfaction on his face and that brings the child closer to the mother,” she said.
Mrs Rosemary Effiong, chairman of Akpabuyo Local Government Area of the state said breastfeeding kept children strong and free of health challenges and “we in Akpabuyo do not want to have children, who would put unnecessary pressure on our health facilities. So, let every mother listen and obey the instruction of the focal person as regards breastfeeding.”
Mrs Effiong, who was represented by secretary of council, Mr Edem Okon, said the council would continue to offer the needed support to mothers through financial empowerment to enable them feed well in order to breastfeed their babies.
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