A Consultant Obstetrician and Gynecologist, Dr. Idowu Ade-Ojo has called for the creation of a supportive and conducive environment of breastfeeding practice at different levels of the society.
The Medical Expert reiterated the need for employers to create sustainable environments for breastfeeding mothers and supportive workplace culture through paid maternity leave, flexible working arrangements and safe spaces for breastfeeding practice.
Dr. Ade-Ojo stated this during the awareness program on breastfeeding at St. Patrick Catholic Cathedral, in commemoration of the 2025 World Breastfeeding Week, organised by a non-governmental organization, Women and Children Development and Health Research Initiative, WCDHRI, and powered by Maternal-Child Specialists’ Clinics Ado-Ekiti.
The Medical Expert noted that exclusive breastfeeding remains the best and safest health practice for nursing mothers and their babies while calling for policies to be put in place by governments, health systems, workplaces and communities to promote exclusive breastfeeding.
He emphasized the need for the society to promote and support exclusive breastfeeding for newborn babies from the first thirty minutes of birth to at least two years to aid postpartum recovery and weight loss, lowers risk of breast and ovarian cancer and may reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
The Medical Expert commended the Cathedral Administrator and officiating priest for granting the organization the privilege to embark on the sensitization in the church adding that the Catholic church have been advocates in promoting safe breastfeeding practice.
Speaking to breastfeeding mothers during Day Two of the exercise themed: “Prioritize Breastfeeding: Create Sustainable Support Systems” at Maternal-Child Specialists’ Clinics Ado-Ekiti, the medical consultant raised concerns that new mothers can’t bear the stress of breastfeeding and pregnancy and urged the public to support and encourage them to take out time to properly breastfeed their babies.
Highlights of the two days awareness include; presentations on lactation insufficiency, challenges and solutions, breastfeeding, place of nutrition in lactation and donation of gifts items to mothers for exclusively breastfeeding their babies.