By Hadiza Mohammed, Northern Operations
Health experts have cautioned women against withholding breast milk from their babies over the misconception that breastfeeding causes breasts to sag, stressing that breast sagging is a natural process associated with ageing rather than nursing.
The experts gave the warning on Monday during the flag-off of the 2026 World Breastfeeding Week in Bauchi, where they emphasised the importance of exclusive breastfeeding in reducing child malnutrition and improving infant survival.
Speaking at a press briefing, the Executive Chairman of the Bauchi State Primary Health Care Development Board, Dr Rilwanu Mohammed, expressed concern that some mothers deliberately deny their babies breast milk because they fear breastfeeding will make them appear older by causing their breasts to sag.
He described the belief as a harmful misconception that deprives children of the nutritional and health benefits of breast milk.
“Breastfeeding is not what makes your breasts fall. Your breasts naturally fall with age, whether you give it to your children or not,” Mohammed said.
He stressed that exclusive breastfeeding remains one of the most effective and affordable interventions for protecting children against malnutrition and preventable childhood illnesses.
Also speaking, the Chief of the UNICEF Bauchi Field Office, Dr Nuzhat Rafique, described breastfeeding as a proven, life-saving practice that is critical to the healthy growth and survival of children.
She said the theme of this year’s World Breastfeeding Week, “Breastfeeding for a Sustainable Start in Life: Strengthen What Works,” underscores the need to strengthen interventions that have consistently improved child nutrition and health outcomes.
Rafique commended the Bauchi State Government for approving six months of paid maternity leave for nursing mothers, describing the policy as a significant step towards enabling mothers to exclusively breastfeed their babies for the recommended six months.
She also praised the state government for approving N500 million as counterpart funding for the Child Nutrition Fund, expressing optimism that the funds would be released promptly to procure critical nutrition commodities.
According to her, although more than nine out of every 10 mothers in Bauchi breastfeed their children, adherence to recommended breastfeeding practices remains low.
“As I said, breastfeeding remains a valued practice with more than nine in 10 mothers breastfeeding their children, but unfortunately, the optimal practices are not there,” she said.
Rafique revealed that only 12 per cent of newborns in the state are breastfed within the first hour after birth, while just 26 per cent of infants are exclusively breastfed during their first six months of life.
She explained that initiating breastfeeding within the first hour of birth and feeding newborns with colostrum—the first breast milk—is essential because it provides vital nutrients and antibodies that serve as a baby’s first protection against infections.
“The child should have breast milk immediately after birth without being given water, honey or any local drinks. Those practices introduce germs and expose children to diarrhoea and other infections,” she said.
She noted that poor breastfeeding practices contribute significantly to diarrhoea, respiratory infections and malnutrition, creating a cycle of illness that weakens children and increases their risk of death.
Rafique urged mothers to exclusively breastfeed their babies for the first six months, continue breastfeeding alongside appropriate complementary feeding until the age of two years, and observe adequate birth spacing to promote maternal and child health.
She emphasised that supporting breastfeeding should not be the responsibility of mothers alone, calling on fathers, families, employers and government institutions to create an enabling environment for nursing mothers.
According to her, family-friendly workplace policies, including the effective implementation of the state’s six-month paid maternity leave and the establishment of workplace crèches, would significantly improve breastfeeding practices and enhance child survival.
•Picture of breastfeeding mother: BusinessPost
