UBTH urges sustained breastfeeding support

Mrs Grace Arheghan, Director of Nursing Services, University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH), has called for sustained breastfeeding education and support.

Arheghan made the call in an interview with our reporter on Wednesday in Benin.

She was reflecting on activities organised by the hospital during the 2026 World Breastfeeding Week, observed from Aug. 1 to Aug. 7.

Arheghan described the programme as successful, citing strong participation and presentations by health professionals who provided useful breastfeeding information.

She stressed the need for continuous sensitisation, recalling UBTH’s former nursing sub-units which regularly visited mothers to promote proper breastfeeding techniques.

According to her, the units visited mothers at least weekly, teaching them how to position and attach babies correctly.

“The regular visits provided opportunities for health workers to guide mothers and correct observed breastfeeding practices,” she said.

Arheghan said the initiative previously received support from UNICEF, urging stakeholders to collaborate with UBTH to sustain and strengthen the programme.

She recalled that mothers and babies within the breastfeeding age, particularly zero to one year, featured in previous programmes.

She noted that the demonstrations helped mothers understand breastfeeding practices and encouraged them to continue nourishing their babies.

She said such demonstrations reassured mothers that breastfeeding remained the best way to nourish babies during their early stages.

Arheghan also dismissed the belief that breastfeeding causes breasts to sag, attributing changes to pregnancy, ageing and hormonal factors.

“If you are the one that has been standing for 15 or 20 years, will you not sit down?” she asked.

She used the analogy to explain that changes in breast size and firmness were natural aspects of ageing.

The nursing director explained that pregnancy enlarged the breasts, while hormonal changes afterwards could affect their firmness.

She urged mothers not to allow concerns about breast appearance to discourage breastfeeding, advising them to seek professional guidance.

Arheghan also called for continued family support, saying encouragement from relatives and others could help mothers sustain breastfeeding successfully.

She expressed optimism that subsequent breastfeeding programmes would improve, with greater participation and stronger support for mothers and families.

It was reported that the 2026 World Breastfeeding Week was observed under the theme, ‘Breastfeeding for a Sustainable Start in Life: Strengthen What Works.’

The theme emphasised sustaining proven interventions and strengthening supportive systems that enable mothers to initiate and continue breastfeeding successfully.