1.1 Introduction
Breastfeeding refers to feeding an infant with breast milk, while exclusive breastfeeding means giving the baby only breast milk, without water, other liquids, or foods, during the first six months of life. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that breastfeeding should begin within the first hour after birth, continue exclusively for six months, and thereafter continue alongside appropriate complementary foods up to two years or beyond (WHO, 2023). Breast milk provides essential nutrients and antibodies that support healthy growth, protect infants from common infections, and contribute to their overall development.
In Nigeria, breastfeeding is an important part of efforts to improve child nutrition and reduce infant illness and death. However, many mothers still face difficulties in practising exclusive breastfeeding because of limited breastfeeding education, cultural beliefs, economic pressures, employment demands, and inadequate support at home and in health facilities. Recent national evidence shows that although breastfeeding is widely practised, optimal breastfeeding practices remain below recommended levels, indicating the need for stronger support for mothers (UNICEF, 2024).
As a prelude to other parts of this study, this chapter will discuss the background upon which this study was initiated, the statement of problems that led to this study, the aim and objectives of the study. Others are significance of the study, scope of work, research hypothesis and questions, limitation of the study and definition of terms.
1.2 Background of Study
Historically, government involvement in infant breastfeeding in Nigeria is closely linked to efforts to reduce infant malnutrition, illness, and death. International concern about declining breastfeeding and the increasing use of breast-milk substitutes led the World Health Assembly to adopt the International Code of Marketing of Breast-Milk Substitutes in 1981. Nigeria supported the Code and subsequently began developing national measures to protect breastfeeding and regulate the promotion of breast-milk substitutes (World Health Organization, 1981). In Nigeria, the Code was developed into national regulations in 1986 and later strengthened through amendments in 1990, 1999, and 2005 (NAFDAC, 2021).
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), breastfeeding is one of the most effective ways of protecting infants from illness and promoting healthy growth and development. Exclusive breastfeeding during the first six months of life means that an infant receives only breast milk, except for medicines or prescribed supplements where necessary. Breast milk contains important nutrients, antibodies, and other protective substances required for the healthy development of the child. WHO therefore recommends that breastfeeding should begin within the first hour after birth, continue exclusively for six months, and thereafter continue with suitable complementary foods up to two years of age or beyond (World Health Organization, 2023). Similarly, Victora et al. (2016) reported that breastfeeding is associated with improved child survival, reduced childhood infections, and long-term health benefits. In the same vein, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) and UNICEF stated that appropriate infant and young child feeding practices are important during the first two years of life because poor feeding during this period may affect a child's physical and mental development (NBS & UNICEF, 2018).
In Nigeria, breastfeeding is widely practised, but the problem is that many mothers do not follow the recommended breastfeeding practices. According to the Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey, about 97% of children had been breastfed at some point, but only 29% of infants below six months were exclusively breastfed in 2018 (National Population Commission & ICF, 2019). This situation shows that the challenge is not simply whether mothers breastfeed, but whether they receive the support needed to breastfeed adequately. Similarly, Okafor, Uche, and Uche (2023) reported that sociocultural factors influence exclusive breastfeeding practices among nursing mothers in communities in Eastern Nigeria. Traditional beliefs, advice from relatives, misconceptions about breast milk, and early introduction of water or other foods may therefore affect breastfeeding decisions. Along the same line, Sokan-Adeaga et al. (2022) found that maternal and household characteristics are associated with exclusive breastfeeding practices among nursing mothers in Lagos State. This study is set against the backdrop of the continuing gap between recommended breastfeeding practices and the actual breastfeeding experiences of many Nigerian mothers.
1.3 Statement of Problems
Investigation revealed that many mothers do not exclusively breastfeed their babies for the recommended first six months because of limited awareness, work demands, cultural beliefs, family influence, and inadequate support. On the other hand, government policies and health programmes promoting breastfeeding have not always reached mothers effectively, particularly those in low-income and underserved communities (WHO, 2023).
Additionally, the availability and quality of breastfeeding support through health facilities remain uneven across the country. Some mothers receive limited counselling during antenatal and postnatal care, while others lack access to trained health workers who can provide practical guidance on breastfeeding difficulties.
Furthermore, government efforts through public health campaigns, maternal and child health programmes, and breastfeeding policies have helped improve awareness, but implementation and monitoring remain challenges (UNICEF, 2021). It is against this backdrop that this study seeks to examine the role of government in promoting adequate infant breastfeeding in Nigeria.
1.4 Aim and Objectives of Study
The aim of this study is to examine the role of government in promoting adequate infant breastfeeding in Nigeria. In achieving this aim, the following specific objectives were laid out as follows:
- Examine the government policies and programmes designed to promote adequate infant breastfeeding in Nigeria.
- Assess the level of breastfeeding education and support provided through government health facilities.
- Determine the factors affecting the implementation of government breastfeeding policies in Nigeria.
- Examine the level of government support available to breastfeeding mothers, particularly working mothers.
- Identify measures for improving government efforts toward adequate infant breastfeeding in Nigeria.
1.5 Research Questions
The study came up with research questions so as to be able to ascertain the above stated objectives. The specific research questions for the study are stated below as follows:
- What government policies and programmes are designed to promote adequate infant breastfeeding in Nigeria?
- What level of breastfeeding education and support is provided through government health facilities?
- What factors affect the implementation of government breastfeeding policies in Nigeria?
- What level of government support is available to breastfeeding mothers, particularly working mothers?
- What measures will improve government efforts toward adequate infant breastfeeding in Nigeria?
1.6 Research Hypotheses
In order to pursue the objective of this study, the following generalized statements have been designed to guide and aids in obtaining the result for the experiment to be conducted. For this work, the null hypothesis will be represented with H0 while the alternative hypothesis will be represented with hypothesis H1.
Hypothesis One
- H0: Government policies and programmes have no significant relationship with the promotion of adequate infant breastfeeding in Nigeria.
- H1: Government policies and programmes have a significant relationship with the promotion of adequate infant breastfeeding in Nigeria.
Hypothesis Two
- H0: Breastfeeding education and support provided through government health facilities have no significant effect on adequate infant breastfeeding.
- H1: Breastfeeding education and support provided through government health facilities have a significant effect on adequate infant breastfeeding.
Hypothesis Three
- H0: The factors affecting implementation of government breastfeeding policies have no significant effect on adequate infant breastfeeding in Nigeria.
- H1: The factors affecting implementation of government breastfeeding policies have a significant effect on adequate infant breastfeeding in Nigeria.
Hypothesis Four
- H0: Government support for breastfeeding mothers has no significant effect on adequate infant breastfeeding practices.
- H1: Government support for breastfeeding mothers has a significant effect on adequate infant breastfeeding practices.
Hypothesis Five
- H0: Proposed measures for improving government breastfeeding programmes have no significant relationship with adequate infant breastfeeding in Nigeria.
- H1: Proposed measures for improving government breastfeeding programmes have a significant relationship with adequate infant breastfeeding in Nigeria.
1.7 Significance of Study
The outcome of this research will provide factual information on the existing government policies and programmes for promoting adequate infant breastfeeding in Nigeria. The study will also provide information on the level of breastfeeding education and support available through government health facilities.
Furthermore, the finding will provide information on government support available to breastfeeding mothers, especially women who combine breastfeeding with paid employment. It will also provide employers with information on the importance of workplace conditions that support breastfeeding mothers.
Lastly, the study will provide useful information for researchers and students conducting further studies on breastfeeding policies, maternal health, and infant nutrition in Nigeria.
1.8 Scope of Study
The study focuses on the role of government in promoting adequate infant breastfeeding in Nigeria. For practical purposes, the study will be limited to selected government-owned primary healthcare centres in Kano State, with particular attention to breastfeeding policies, health education, maternal support, implementation challenges, and government interventions.
1.9 Limitations of the Study
During the course of this study, there were some problems encountered which stood as limitations to the research work. Some of the limitations include:
- Delay from respondents: Some respondents delayed completing questionnaires or providing information, which affected the planned schedule for data collection.
- Financial constraints: Limited financial resources were a challenge for transportation, printing, communication, and other research expenses.
- Time constraints: The period available for completing the study was limited, which affected the amount of time available for visiting health facilities and collecting information.
1.10 Definition of Terms
Adequate Breastfeeding:
Adequate breastfeeding refers to breastfeeding practices that follow recommended guidelines, including early initiation, exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months, and continued breastfeeding with appropriate complementary foods thereafter (WHO, 2023).
Breastfeeding:
Breastfeeding is the feeding of an infant with breast milk directly from the mother's breast. It provides nutrients and protective substances that support infant growth and health (WHO, 2023).
Exclusive Breastfeeding:
Exclusive breastfeeding means feeding an infant only breast milk during the first six months, except for medicines, oral rehydration solution, or vitamin and mineral supplements when medically required (WHO, 2023).
Infant:
An infant is a young child, particularly a child below one year of age. In this study, the term mainly refers to babies within the period when breastfeeding is most important for early growth and development.
Government:
Government refers to the public authorities and agencies responsible for making, implementing, regulating, and monitoring policies and programmes that affect the health and welfare of citizens.
Government Policy:
Government policy refers to an official plan, guideline, or decision established by government to address a particular public issue. In this study, it refers specifically to policies relating to infant and young child feeding.
Breastfeeding Promotion:
Breastfeeding promotion refers to organised activities such as health education, counselling, public awareness, and community programmes aimed at encouraging recommended breastfeeding practices.
Breastfeeding Support:
Breastfeeding support refers to the assistance provided to mothers by health workers, families, communities, employers, and government programmes to help them initiate and continue breastfeeding successfully.
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