Nutrition Health Expert and Focal Person in Gboko local government area of Benue State, Mrs. Miriam Terumbur Adekaa, has said poor nutrition and economic hardship are preventing many nursing mothers from practicing exclusive breastfeeding for the recommended six months.

Mrs Adekaa, disclosed this during a market sensitisation rally held to mark the 2026 World Breastfeeding Week in Benue State.

The market sensitisation rally was organised by the Benue State Government through the Benue State Primary Health Care Board in collaboration with UNICEF and other development partners as part of activities marking World Breastfeeding Week 2026.

The event, with the theme, “Breastfeeding for a Sustainable Start in Life: Strengthening What Works,” focused on promoting early initiation of breastfeeding, exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months and optimal nutrition during the first 1,000 days of a child’s life.

Mrs Adekaa said the awareness campaign targeted pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers and caregivers to educate them on the importance of exclusive breastfeeding before introducing complementary foods.

According to her, although about 80 per cent of mothers initially comply with exclusive breastfeeding after counselling, many begin giving their babies supplementary food as early as four months because they believe breast milk alone is insufficient.

Adekaa explained that poor feeding among nursing mothers often reduces breast milk production, prompting them to abandon exclusive breastfeeding prematurely.

She advised breastfeeding mothers to eat balanced meals, take their prescribed multiple micronutrient supplements and breastfeed frequently with proper positioning to stimulate adequate milk production.

The nutrition expert also urged mothers who had introduced complementary foods too early to return to exclusive breastfeeding where possible until their babies attained six months of age.

Some mothers interviewed during the rally admitted they had struggled to follow the recommendation despite receiving health education at hospitals.

Mrs Catherine Aondona said she introduced supplementary food when her baby reached four months because she believed the child was no longer satisfied with breast milk alone.

Another mother, Mrs Lucy Terungwa, said she began complementary feeding when her three-month-old baby frequently cried after breastfeeding, believing her breast milk was inadequate.

However, Mrs Mwuese Nyikwagh said she successfully practised exclusive breastfeeding for six months despite pressure from family members to introduce other foods earlier, adding that her baby remained healthy throughout the period.

The Market Sensitisation Rally was attended by the Gboko Local Government
Council Wards Nutrition Officers, Students of Health Institutions and other government officials.