'Stop Competing For Women's Breasts'

The Chief Medical Director (CMD) of Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), Prof Wale Oke has said men should allow babies enjoy their mothers breasts.

Speaking yesterday, August 5, at the World Breastfeeding Week (WBW), Oke asked the men to stop competing for their wife’s breasts with their babies as it is their natural meal, The Nation reports.

The programme was organised by LASUTH Community Health Department in conjunction with the hospital’s Pediatrics.

The CMD encouraged mothers to practice exclusive breastfeeding as its benefits were many.

“When a mother breastfeeds her baby, it creates bond between them. It is also a natural family mechanism as mothers cannot get pregnant. Breastfeeding mothers do not have bone diseases, breast and ovarian cancers.

“Working and breastfeeding can go together if mothers try because it is necessary to have healthy babies,” Oke said.

Also speaking, wife of the Lagos state governor, Bolanle Ambode advised mothers to breastfeed their babies exclusively for six months mixed breastfeeding up to two years, so that they can stay healthy.

According to Ademola Olabowale, the permanent secretary of the state’s Civil Service Pension Office, who represented Mrs Ambode, medical science has made it known that breast supplies basic nutrients to newborns.

She stated that breast milk remains the most important protein for babies’ growth.

Olabowale added that the Lagos state government had reviewed maternity leave for women in the state Civil Service from three to six months.

On Tuesday, August 4, wife of Senate President, Toyin Saraki, had called on mothers to exclusively breastfeed their babies especially during the first six months of a child’s life to guarantee a healthier lifespan.

Dr. Zainab Bagudu, wife of Kebbi state governor had on Monday, advised mothers to imbibe the habit of exclusive breastfeeding.