The 2024 Nigeria Demographic and Well being Survey (NDHS) has proven that simply 35.5 per cent of youngsters born within the two years previous the survey have been put to the breast inside one hour of start.
On the identical time, solely 12.4 per cent of youngsters aged six to 23 months have been fed from at the least 5 of the eight really useful minimal dietary variety. The findings elevate severe considerations concerning the nation’s progress on Toddler and Younger Baby Feeding (IYCF) requirements and its implications for baby survival and improvement.
The report additionally reveals that unique breastfeeding amongst youngsters aged 0-5 months, with a pattern measurement of two,734, stands at 28.8 per cent.
In keeping with the pattern determine within the report, unique breastfeeding has improved from about two per cent in 1990 to round 29 per cent in 2018 and stays close to that degree in 2023-24.
These figures are far beneath international averages. For instance, data from multiple low- and middle-income countries present early initiation charges are round 50% or extra and unique breastfeeding round 45% lately.
Well being consultants say the findings spotlight persistent gaps in maternal and baby vitamin practices that threaten the survival and improvement of younger youngsters.
Gaps in complementary feeding and eating regimen variety
Amongst youngsters aged six–23 months (pattern measurement: 7,611), the NDHS experiences that solely 12.4 per cent met the minimal dietary variety threshold by consuming meals from at the least 5 of eight outlined meals teams the day gone by.
Against this, 41.2 per cent of toddlers consumed candy drinks, whereas 23.7 per cent have been fed unhealthy meals excessive in sugar, salt, or unhealthy fat.
In sensible phrases, which means that solely about one in eight toddlers is receiving various complementary meals. In the meantime, practically half devour candy drinks and about one in 4 are fed unhealthy meals.
In keeping with the World Well being Organisation (WHO), poor toddler feeding practices are the main explanation for malnutrition in all its kinds, together with undernutrition (losing, stunting, and underweight), macronutrient deficiency, and weight problems, which coexist inside the identical inhabitants.
Why the benchmarks matter
International pointers from WHO and UNICEF point out that optimum toddler and younger baby feeding contains early initiation of breastfeeding, unique breastfeeding for the primary six months, adopted by introduction of protected and nutrient-adequate complementary meals from six months whereas persevering with breastfeeding as much as two years or past.
The well being businesses positioned unique breastfeeding charges at round 45-48 per cent in low- and middle-income international locations, with early initiation of breastfeeding averaging about 50 per cent.
Nevertheless, Nigeria’s figures fall far beneath these benchmarks, leaving youngsters to face greater dangers of sickness, poor development, impaired cognitive improvement, and longer-term well being issues.
Zainab Sa’idu, an skilled in sexual reproductive and maternal and new child well being, stated the figures revealed main weaknesses in Nigeria’s toddler feeding practices.
Ms Sa’idu stated the numbers highlighted current gaps in optimum breastfeeding practices within the nation.
“Primarily, it means many newborns stay at elevated threat of infections and malnutrition, each main drivers of toddler mortality,” she stated.
She famous that the scenario, although regarding, presents alternatives to scale up breastfeeding help in hospitals, communities, workplaces, and houses, the place it may be a coverage in an setting that may help the mom and new child.
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She added that the limitations are multifaceted, citing delayed initiation of skin-to-skin contact, restricted counselling in well being services, cultural beliefs discouraging unique breastfeeding, and insufficient information on the advantages of unique breastfeeding on the a part of the mom.
“Skilled and dealing moms additionally face a scarcity of office help for nursing or partial implementation of the nationally really useful length for maternity depart,” she defined.
Toddlers’ diets shrinking with the financial system
For Nigerian toddlers, the NDHS knowledge reveal a worrying vitamin hole. Solely about one in eight youngsters aged six to 23 months obtained meals from 5 of the eight outlined meals teams on the day gone by, nicely beneath the worldwide objective.
Ms Sa’idu linked the issue to socio-economic hardship, systemic and behavioural components and rising meals prices, which have made nutrient-rich meals unaffordable for a lot of households.
“Meals insecurity is a significant concern. Households are turning to cheaper processed meals, and the poor implementation of nutrition-centred insurance policies, particularly at group and first health-care ranges,” she stated.
She defined that enhancing eating regimen variety would require making nutritious meals reasonably priced, elevating public consciousness, and strengthening the implementation of insurance policies that promote wholesome consuming for toddlers.
Turning knowledge into motion
Ms Sa’idu stated Nigeria should reposition toddler and younger baby feeding not merely as a well being message however as a social norm that’s acceptable and supported by everybody within the residence, group, and office (together with males).
She urged stronger enforcement of maternity-leave insurance policies, and the creation of lactation areas in each formal and casual sectors.
“There’s additionally a must work with communities and media to advertise messaging on the advantages of breastfeeding and various complementary feeding utilizing easy language and native context.”
WHO estimates that optimum breastfeeding alone may save greater than 800,000 youngsters below age 5 globally every year.
In Nigeria, the place baby malnutrition stays a number one explanation for under-five mortality, poor toddler and younger baby feeding practices amplify current vulnerabilities.
