Consultant Paediatrician Reveals The Ideal Duration Mothers Should Breastfeed Their Babies
A Consultant Paediatrician with Federal Medical Centre (FMC) Jabi, Dr. Bessie Eziechila, has revealed the number of years mothers should breastfeed their babies. According to the expert, two years is the normal duration for breastfeeding for the advantage of both child and mother.
Dr. Eziechila disclosed this in an interview with News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Tuesday adding that “two years is the complete, adequate period and ideal for breastfeeding a child.’’
The Paediatrician urged working mothers to explore necessary avenues of breast feeding their children for their well-being. She said:
”Working mothers can express breast milk and store for varying number of hours depending on the mode of storage. Their work environment can also be made baby-friendly to enable them breastfeed at work, I mean when they resume from maternity leave.”
The expert described breastfeeding as non negotiable aspect of childcare, adding “it is a roadmap to healthy society’’.
We had earlier reported that the World Health Organisation (WHO) recommended the practice of up to two years and beyond for breastfeeding.
Exclusive breast feeding which is described as the best, according to paediatricians helps in family planning by slowing the return of ovulation.
READ ALSO: How Mothers Can Enjoy And Achieve Exclusive Breastfeeding- Nutrition Society of Nigeria
Medical experts are of the opinion that children exclusively breastfed tend to be healthier and more intelligent than others.