Health experts have urged mothers to ignore the widespread misconception that breastfeeding causes breasts to sag, stressing that breast sagging is a natural part of ageing and should never be a reason to deny babies breast milk.
The experts gave the advice on Monday during the flag-off of the 2026 World Breastfeeding Week in Bauchi.
Speaking at a press briefing, the Executive Chairman of the Bauchi State Primary Health Care Development Board, Dr. Rilwanu Mohammed, expressed concern that some women deliberately avoid breastfeeding because they believe it makes them look older by causing their breasts to sag.
He warned that withholding breast milk, especially exclusive breastfeeding, puts infants at greater risk of malnutrition, infections and other preventable childhood illnesses.
“Breastfeeding is not what makes your breasts fall. Your breasts naturally fall with age whether you breastfeed your children or not,” Mohammed said.
He emphasised that exclusive breastfeeding remains one of the most effective and affordable ways to protect children from malnutrition and life-threatening diseases during their early months.
Also speaking, the Chief of the UNICEF Bauchi Field Office, Dr. Nuzhat Rafique, described breastfeeding as a proven, life-saving practice and encouraged mothers to adopt optimal breastfeeding habits to ensure the healthy growth and survival of their children.
She explained that this year’s World Breastfeeding Week theme, “Breastfeeding for a Sustainable Start in Life: Strengthen What Works,” highlights the importance of strengthening proven interventions that improve child nutrition and health outcomes.
Rafique commended the Bauchi State Government for approving six months of paid maternity leave, describing the policy as a significant step towards helping mothers exclusively breastfeed their babies during the first six months of life.
She also praised the state government for approving ₦500 million as counterpart funding for the Child Nutrition Fund, expressing hope that the funds would be released promptly to procure essential nutrition supplies.
According to her, although more than nine out of every 10 mothers in Bauchi breastfeed their children, optimal breastfeeding practices remain low.
The revealed that only 12 per cent of newborns in the state are breastfed within the first hour after birth, while just 26 per cent of infants are exclusively breastfed for the recommended first six months.
Rafique stressed that babies should be breastfed immediately after birth and given colostrum, the first breast milk, which she described as a baby’s first vaccination because of the immunity it provides.
She warned against giving newborns water, honey or traditional drinks before breastfeeding, noting that such practices expose babies to germs, diarrhoea and other infections.
The UNICEF official added that poor breastfeeding practices contribute significantly to diarrhoea, respiratory infections and malnutrition, creating a cycle that weakens children and increases the risk of death.
She urged mothers to exclusively breastfeed their babies for the first six months, continue breastfeeding alongside complementary feeding for up to two years, and maintain adequate birth spacing.
Rafique also stressed that breastfeeding should not be the sole responsibility of mothers, calling on fathers, families, employers and government institutions to provide greater support for nursing mothers.
She noted that family-friendly workplace policies, including the implementation of six months’ paid maternity leave and the establishment of workplace crèches, would significantly improve breastfeeding practices and child survival.
