- How Lagos Achieved 57.4% Exclusive Breastfeeding Rate
- Only 14% Start Within First Hour
- The programme is being implemented across all 334 primary healthcare centres, 29 secondary healthcare facilities and one tertiary health institution in the state
Lagos State has recorded a 57.4 per cent exclusive breastfeeding rate, putting the state above the global target of 50 per cent.
Eko Hot Blog reports that the state government disclosed this as part of activities marking the 2026 World Breastfeeding Week, while stressing the need to further improve breastfeeding practices among mothers.
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The Special Adviser to the Governor on Health, Dr Kemi Ogunyemi, announced the figure during a press briefing at the Lagos State Ministry of Health in Alausa on Tuesday.
Ogunyemi said although the state had made progress in exclusive breastfeeding, the rate of mothers who begin breastfeeding within the first hour after delivery remained low at 14 per cent.
She described breastfeeding as an important way of protecting children from illness and improving their chances of survival, especially during the first six months of life.
According to her, breast milk provides infants with essential nutrients, is readily available and comes at no cost to families.
She said exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months, followed by continued breastfeeding alongside suitable complementary foods until the child is two years old, supports physical, mental and cognitive development.
Speaking on the theme of this year’s World Breastfeeding Week, “Breastfeeding for a Sustainable Start in Life: Strengthen What Works,” Ogunyemi said breastfeeding remained a practical and affordable way to support child health, particularly as families face rising economic pressures.
She called on fathers, grandparents, employers, healthcare workers, religious leaders, community leaders and other caregivers to support breastfeeding mothers.
According to her, Lagos has continued to strengthen its Maternal, Infant and Young Child Nutrition programme through training for healthcare workers, breastfeeding counselling
, nutrition education and enforcement of regulations on breast milk substitutes.
She said the programme is being implemented across all 334 primary healthcare centres, 29 secondary healthcare facilities and one tertiary health institution in the state.
Ogunyemi, however, identified misconceptions about colostrum, the first milk produced after childbirth, as one of the factors affecting early breastfeeding.
She said healthcare workers, including midwives in public and private facilities, were being trained to help mothers begin breastfeeding within one hour of delivery.
The health adviser also dismissed the belief that women who deliver through caesarean section cannot breastfeed immediately.
“A caesarean section is not a barrier to breastfeeding. Whether a mother delivers vaginally or through surgery, breastfeeding should begin as soon as possible, ideally within the first hour after birth,” she said.
She urged families and healthcare workers to provide mothers with the necessary support to ensure that more babies benefit from early and exclusive breastfeeding.
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