Niger Grapples with Low Exclusive Breastfeeding Rates, Launches Collaborative Initiative
Table of Contents
Niamey, Niger – A joint effort between UNICEF Niger and the nation’s Ministryโฃ of health isโค underway to address concerningly low rates of exclusive breastfeeding among infants. A press conference held Tuesday, august 12, โ2025, โขrevealed that โคwhile a vast majority-96.6 percent-of mothers in Niger initiate breastfeeding, only 21.8 percent practice exclusive breastfeeding for theโ recommendedโ first six months of life.โ This fallsโข substantially short ofโ the World Health Organization’s (WHO) target of 50 percent.
The State of Breastfeeding in Niger
The event,โข timedโ toโฃ coincide with the 28th World โฃBreastfeeding Week, centered on the theme “Prioritizing Breastfeeding: Weaving Solid Support Networks.” The goal was to fosterโข stronger communication between nutrition specialists and media outlets to amplify the importance of breastfeeding at all levels โ- within families,communities,and governmental โinstitutions.
Key figures present included djanabou Mahondรฉ,โข UNICEF Representative in Niger, โalongside officials from the โMinistryโฃ of Health, Dr. Aboubacar Mahamadou,Director of Nutrition,and Dr. Ibrahim Assalama, Head of the Anje service. Representatives from prominent media organizations suchโ as KM Media (Actiniger.com), Bonferey, Tambara, โฃonep, โTV Sahel, and Africable โTV โalso attended.
“Breastfeeding, and especially exclusive breastfeeding for theโฃ first six months, saves lives. It is a child’s first vaccine,” emphasized Djanabou Mahondรฉ. This practice provides infants with essential nutrients for survival and growth while simultaneously offering โฃprotection against numerous diseases.
The current rate of 21.8 percent is far โfrom the national goal of 60 percent byโ 2030. Multiple factors contribute to this disparity, including the early introduction of water or other โfoods, insufficient maternalโ support, and limited access to healthcare facilities.
Did โYou Know?โข Exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months is associated with aโข 45% reduction in infant mortality โคdueโฃ to diarrheal โขdisease and a 72% reduction in respiratory infections (WHO).
Economic and Health Implications
Mahondรฉโ highlighted the broader implications of malnutrition, โstating it “is a global problem, which lastingly affects the cognitive and economic developmentโข of โchildren.” She further underscored the economic benefits, โnoting that every 600 CFA francs invested in breastfeeding could yield savings of approximately 21,000 CFA francs in healthcare costs.
Dr. Aboubacarโข Mahamadou echoed โคthese concerns,โข stating, “Breastfeedingโ gives the best start to a child. But in Niger, despite the fact that 96.6 % of mothers are breastfeeding, the practice often remains non-optimal.” He specifically pointed to the 40.6 percent โคof infants receiving water beforeโข six months, which diminishes the โprotective benefits of exclusive breastfeeding, and suboptimal rates of early โขinitiation within theโ first hour ofโข birth.
A Collective Approach to Improvement
The Ministry of Health stressed the need for a unified commitment involving families,โค communities, healthcare professionals, policymakers, civil society, and the media.โ “Punctual interventions are not enough; we must register the action over time,” a ministry โofficial stated, quoting the Minister of Health.
UNICEF andโค its partners advocate for a supportive habitat that includes psychological andโ logistical support for mothers, targeted awareness campaigns,โ training for healthcareโ workers,โค and the mobilization of community health volunteers.
Pro Tip: Supporting โmothers through education, counseling, and access to resourcesโข is crucial for โคincreasing breastfeeding rates.
“To support breastfeeding is to โขinvestโ in the health, education,โ and the future of the country,” Mahondรฉ concluded.
Key Data โคat a โคGlance
| Metric | Value | Target (2030) |
|---|---|---|
| Mothers Initiating Breastfeeding | 96.6% | N/A |
| Exclusive Breastfeeding (0-6 months) | 21.8% | 60% |
| Infants Receiving Water Before 6 Months | 40.6% | N/A |
Theโ collaborative โeventโ facilitatedโ open dialog between journalists and โministry technicians, enabling them to gather data and insights forโ their reporting. This โinitiative underscores the commitment โof UNICEF andโค the Nigerien government to leverage the media as aโ strategic partner inโฃ promoting this life-saving practice.
What challenges do you think are โmost significant in promoting exclusive breastfeeding in yoru community?โฃ How can media โคplay aโ more effective role in supporting breastfeeding mothers?
Evergreen Context: The Global Importance โขof Breastfeeding
Breastfeeding isโฃ recognized globallyโข as the optimal way to nourishโ infantsโข and young children. The American academy of Pediatricsโ recommends exclusive breastfeeding for โabout the โขfirst six months of life,โ followed by continued breastfeeding alongside appropriate complementary foods โfor at least the first year, and longerโ as mutually desired โ (AAP). Beyond nutritional benefits,breastfeeding fosters emotional bonding between mother and child and contributes โto maternal health by reducing the risk of certain cancers โฃand other diseases.
Frequently Asked Questions About โBreastfeeding
- What is exclusive breastfeeding? Exclusive breastfeeding means the infant receives only breast milk, โขwithout any other โขfoods or liquids, including water, except โfor prescribed medications.
- Why isโ exclusive breastfeeding โcritically important? Itโฃ provides optimalโข nutrition and antibodies โthat protect infants from illness.
- What are theโฃ benefits of breastfeeding for mothers? Breastfeeding can reduce the risk of breast and ovarian cancers,type 2 โdiabetes,and postpartum depression.
- What support is available for breastfeeding โmothers in Niger? โฃUNICEF and the Ministry of Health are working to improve access to counseling, education, and healthcare facilities.
- How can communities โคsupport breastfeeding mothers? By creating supportive environments,promoting awareness,and respecting mothers’ choices.
Disclaimer: Thisโ article provides generalโค details and โคshould not โbe consideredโ medical advice. Consult with a healthcare professional for personalized guidance on breastfeeding.
We hope this article has provided valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities surroundingโ breastfeeding in Niger. Please share this information withโ your networks, leaveโฃ a comment below with your thoughts, or subscribe to our newsletter for more updates โฃonโ global health and development.