The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare has called on Nigerians to strengthen support for breastfeeding mothers as the country joins the global community to commemorate the 2026 World Breastfeeding Week from August 1 to 7.
The ministry said creating supportive environments at home, in communities, healthcare facilities and workplaces remains critical to improving breastfeeding practices and child health outcomes across the country.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the ministry said this year’s theme, “Breastfeeding for a Sustainable Start in Life: Strengthen What Works,” underscores the need to build on successful breastfeeding interventions while assessing progress in nutrition, food security and poverty reduction.
The ministry described breastfeeding as the foundation of lifelong health, noting that it provides optimal nutrition for infants, strengthens immunity, supports brain development and improves child survival.
“Breastfeeding remains the foundation of lifelong health. It provides optimal nutrition for infants, strengthens immunity, supports healthy brain development, improves child survival, and contributes significantly to human capital development and national productivity,” the statement said.
According to the ministry, promoting and protecting breastfeeding also helps reduce healthcare costs while advancing food security and social equity.
The Federal Government stressed that successful breastfeeding requires collective support from families, healthcare providers, employers, communities and policymakers.
The ministry reiterated its recommendations for mothers to initiate breastfeeding within one hour of birth, practise exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life and introduce appropriate complementary foods from six months while continuing breastfeeding up to two years or beyond.
It noted that breast milk remains the safest and most affordable source of nutrition for infants, providing protection against many common childhood illnesses and reducing the financial burden associated with infant formula and preventable diseases.
“Every mother deserves the support needed to breastfeed successfully. Families, healthcare providers, employers, communities and policymakers all have critical roles in ensuring that breastfeeding mothers receive adequate care, encouragement and workplace support,” the ministry added.
As part of activities marking the 2026 World Breastfeeding Week, the ministry said a national commemoration will be held on 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 urged Nigerians to actively support breastfeeding mothers and adhere to national recommendations, stressing that collective efforts to protect, promote and support breastfeeding would contribute to healthier children, stronger families and national development.
“Collective action to protect, promote and support breastfeeding is an investment in healthier children, stronger families and a more prosperous Nigeria,” the statement said.
