Fidson Healthcare Plc has thrown its
weight behind breastfeeding as the best source of nourishment for
infants and young children, which is the cornerstone for a child’s
healthy growth as well as a country’s development. The leading
pharmaceutical company called on Nigerian women to embrace breastfeeding
of their babies to avoid diseases and infections to the child’s health.
The advice came on the heel of the company’s concern for the health and
well-being of the Nigerian mother and child, in commemoration of the
world breastfeeding week which commenced on the 1st of August, 2016.
World Health Organisation’s report tied
the increasing child mortality rate to lack of adequate breastfeeding.
WHO’s report estimated that 3.1 million child deaths annually or 45 per
cent of all child deaths are caused by under nutrition and that over 800
000 children’s lives could be saved every year among children under 5,
if all children 0–23 months were optimally breastfed.
The Marketing Manager, Fidson, Mr. Friday
Enaholo said breast milk is an essential source of energy and nutrients
for children aged 6 to 23 months as it can provide more than half of a
child’s energy needs between the ages of 6 and 12 months, and one third
of energy needs between 12 and 24 months. He stressed that breast milk
is also a critical source of nourishment during illness, and reduces
child mortality.
He also noted that supporting
breastfeeding is one of the viable health investments any country’s
government can make, especially in preventing child mortality, improving
maternal and child health. He therefore advised all concerned to
support breastfeeding, especially for working mothers.
“The World Breastfeeding Week is intended
to draw attention to and raise awareness of this natural responsibility
of a mother. There is the need to drum support for the working class
mother who is nursing a baby; and to call on employers and policy makers
to spare a thought for the hard-working, lactating mother when
developing labour related policies that have to do with the workplace. A
happy mother is a productive employee,” he said.
Enaholo believes in the bond that exists
between mother and child while breastfeeding. He noted that
breastfeeding is a natural interaction between mother and baby, without
any need for a special week to raise awareness for it.
“However, urbanisation, globalisation,
work-life imbalance, fear of breast sagging, etc. have reduced the
frequency and duration of breastfeeding. Normally, mothers derive joy
from suckling their babies and their commitment to this noble duty is
high.”
He advised breastfeeding mothers to
cultivate the habit of frequently taking clean water to increase the
flow of breast milk. He also advised the consumption of natural foods,
to increase the quality and quantity of breast milk, as well as intake
of nutritional supplements, like Cestra Pre-natal® which contains all
the micronutrients, vitamins and other requirements in the right types,
quantity and combinations for optimal growth and wellbeing of mother and
child.
He said Cestra Pre-natal®, from the
stable of Fidson Healthcare Plc provides needed energy to the mother and
adequate micronutrients to the child in the first few years of life.
Cestra Pre Natal® is purposefully formulated to prepare women for
pregnancy and promotes health, growth and development of the baby. It
provides the special nutritional requirements of the woman and the baby
throughout the pregnancy and after delivery. It supports the immune
system, energy levels, and vitality during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
Fidson’s support of the WHO campaign on breastfeeding is a demonstration
of the company’s concern for the health and wellbeing of every Nigerian
mother and child. This is in line with its corporate brand proposition
of adding value to life, as expressed in its slogan.
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