Nutrition and child health experts have identified early breastfeeding within the first 30 minutes of birth as one of the most cost-effective interventions to combat stunting in children under five in Nigeria. Exclusive breastfeeding for six months, followed by continued breastfeeding until age two, has been shown to significantly improve child nutrition and reduce stunting risks.
According to the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, about 12 million Nigerian children suffer from stunted growth, while UNICEF reports that Nigeria has the second-highest global burden of stunted children, with 32% of children under five affected. Experts emphasize that stunting not only impairs physical growth but also weakens immunity, making children more vulnerable to life-threatening illnesses like pneumonia and diarrhea.
Registered Dietician-Nutritionist Nwabumma Asouzu from the Alex Ekwueme Federal University Teaching Hospital explained that stunting results from poor nutrition, chronic infections, and inadequate maternal care. She noted that stunted children face higher risks of obesity, heart disease, and diabetes later in life, along with diminished cognitive and physical development.
Asouzu highlighted the critical “1,000-day window” from pregnancy to a child’s second birthday as a pivotal period for intervention. Actions such as promoting early breastfeeding, improving dietary diversity, and ensuring access to safe foods can significantly reduce stunting rates. She added that maternal health and nutrition during pregnancy also play a vital role in preventing stunting.
Consultant Paediatric Haematologist Prof. Edamisan Temiye of Lagos University Teaching Hospital stressed the generational impact of stunting, noting that children who experience it are more likely to have stunted offspring. He urged mothers to begin breastfeeding immediately after delivery, citing breast milk’s essential nutrients and immunity-boosting properties as critical for infant development.
Both experts called for government action to prioritize nutrition programs and raise awareness about the importance of breastfeeding. Investing in maternal and child health, they asserted, is essential to breaking the cycle of stunting and ensuring a healthier future for Nigeria’s children.
