Exclusive Breastfeeding; An Imperative Form of Adequate Nutrition for Infants

'Breastfeeding'. This word is not new to us. In fact, everyone knows what it is. But do we all know what exclusive breastfeeding is? What are the significances of exclusive breastfeeding on your baby's health and why should you not deprive your child of this?

Do you want to know the answers to these questions?

Then first, let's consider what exclusive breastfeeding really is.

Exclusive breastfeeding simply means that the infant receives only breast milk. No other liquid is given, not even water except oral rehydration solution or drops/syrups of vitamins, minerals, and medicines.
Now, for how long should an infant be exclusively breastfed?

The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that infants be exclusively breastfed for the first six months of life to achieve growth, development, and health.

Why is this important?

For infants to survive, grow and develop properly they require the right proportion of nutrients. Breast milk is rich in nutrients and antibodies and contains the right quantities of fat, sugar, water, and protein. These nutrients are major prerequisites to the health and survival of the baby. When a child is exclusively breastfed, their immune system is strengthened, enabling it to fight against life-threatening illnesses like pneumonia and diarrhea amongst other infections. In fact, reports indicate that babies who are not breastfed for the first six months of life are 15 times more likely to die from Pneumonia compared to newborns that are breastfed exclusively for six months after birth. Several studies have also shown that breastfed infants do better on intelligence and behavior tests into adulthood. A Lancet research revealed that exclusive breastfeeding improves brain development which leads to better academic performance and productivity later in life.

Breast milk is the best for infants. In addition to containing all the vitamins and nutrients the baby needs in the first six months of life, breast milk is packed with disease-fighting substances that protect the baby from illness. Numerous studies from around the world have shown that stomach viruses, lower respiratory illnesses, ear infections, and meningitis occur less often in breastfed babies and are less severe when they do happen. The main immune factor at work here is a substance called secretory immunoglobulin A (IgA) which is present in large amounts in colostrum, the first milk your body produces for your baby. (Secretory IgA is present in lower concentrations in mature breast milk.) The substance guards against invading germs by forming a protective layer on the mucous membranes in your baby's intestines, nose, and throat.

Exclusive breastfeeding has a lot of benefits not only for the infant, the mother, the family, or the community but also for the nation. However, despite this, only 17 % of children are exclusively breastfed in Nigeria, according to the 2013 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS). Nigeria has one of the worst exclusive breastfeeding rates in Africa. This is because many women give their infants water along with breast milk. But experts said all the water the child needs is contained in the breast milk, and there is no need to give the child water or any liquid in the first six months.

Also, some cultural practices hinder exclusive breastfeeding. In some communities in the country, colostrum is discarded. The colostrum is the first thick yellowish milk from the breast and acts as immediate natural immunization. The baby should be breastfed within 30 minutes of delivery to avail him or her of colostrum instead of discarding it and preventing optimal infant feeding.

Nevertheless, many women still wallow in ignorance of the importance of exclusive breastfeeding and there is a need for health workers and traditional and religious leaders to assist in enlightening them.

Women also find it difficult to exclusively breastfeed because of work. They should be supported to combine breastfeeding with work, whether in the formal, informal, or home setting. There is a need for crèches and breastfeeding breaks in workplaces to make it easier for mothers to breastfeed their babies.
With this, It has become essential that we all, either male or female, counsel, encourage and support mothers to initiate exclusive breastfeeding. Governments, family members, and community health workers all have a role to play in the survival of newborns through the uptake of exclusive breastfeeding, as this is an imperative form of adequate nutrition for infants.