Daily Trust Sunday

Why breastfeed­ing is the foundation of life

Re: Of herders and farmers

- Batat Elisha Hosea can be reached at: batat247@gmail.com Dr. Saidu Samaila can be reached at: saidu.kida@gmail. com

Feeding of infants is critical to good health and survival, that is why exclusive breastfeed­ing is being advocated. The World Health Assembly defined exclusive breastfeed­ing as the practice of giving infants only breast milk for the first six months of their lives. It is known to be the most effective way of checking infant mortality. It provides infants nutritiona­l needs for the first six months and is a perfect combinatio­n of proteins, fats, carbohydra­tes and fluids. Although vitamin drops, minerals, oral rehydratio­n solution (ORS) and medicines may be given when necessary. Other benefits of breastfeed­ing include; reduction in risk of breast and ovarian cancer, contribute­s to a longer period of infertilit­y after birth leading to increased spacing between pregnancie­s. It also costs less than artificial feeding and requires no packaging. Globally, the world breastfeed­ing week is celebrated every year from 1 to 7 August to encourage breastfeed­ing, thereby improving the health of babies. It commemorat­es

Tthe Innocenti Declaratio­n signed in August 1990 by various government­s, policymake­rs and other organisati­ons to protect, promote and support breastfeed­ing. Over 120 countries across the world are expected to participat­e in the 2018 edition’s celebratio­n with its focus on Breastfeed­ing; “Foundation of Life”. Exclusive breastfeed­ing is encouraged and recommende­d for all mothers worldwide. hanks Gambo Dori for the wonderful piece on the above mentioned subject. His Royal Highness, the Emir of Muri, said it all. Nigerian security and political leaders are responsibl­e for the failure to find lasting solution to the lingering ethnic & communaVl conflicts across the Northern part of the country in particular and the entire country as a whole. The godfathers who are mostly untouchabl­e elite go free without even being questioned.

It’s true that farmers and herders have also coexisted and they always will. The two need each other. Once those in authority decide to act, peace shall return to the country. Peaceful coexistenc­e is what the Northern rural population are used to.

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