Exclusively Breastfed Babies Have High Mental Intelligence, Says Odiboh

Martins Ifijeh

A well exclusively breastfed infant for the first six months of life is more likely to have a high mental intelligence than the one not exclusively breastfed, the Executive Director, Afribaby Initiative, Mrs. Olayinka Odiboh has said.

She said the breast milk contains all nutrients needed for optimal development of the brain of a child hence there was no need for mothers to add other types of foods along with the breast milk for the baby until he or she clocks at least six months old.

Stating this during the 16thAfribaby Babies and Moms Exhibition and 2017 World Breastfeeding Week in Lagos recently, she said the society needs to be concerned about children’s first five years of life, adding that with exclusive breastfeeding they are more likely to be protected from diseases as well as have a well developed brain to face their adulthood.

“We have found out that those things that cause our babies to die are preventable. As we celebrate the World Breastfeeding Week, we believe its time to let our nursing mothers, and the society at large know that exclusive breastfeeding has a very important role to play in a child’s health and development in life.

“We are also using this opportunity to encourage our mothers not to be tired of giving breast milk to their infants. We know it is time consuming, but it is worth it,” she added.

According to her, fathers also have a big role to play in the process. They should support and encourage their wives to give exclusive breast milk to their newborns.

The event brought several nursing mothers together for a breastfeeding competition, while health journalists were part if the judges.