Breastfeeding is a natural and essential process that provides infants with optimal nutrition and important antibodies necessary for their growth and development.
This practice is supported by science, philosophy, religion, and even culture. To emphasize its importance, the first week of August is celebrated worldwide as World Breastfeeding Week.
This week is dedicated to raising awareness, creating supportive policies, and encouraging community initiatives that promote and protect breastfeeding as a fundamental right of every child.
However, encouraging breastfeeding practices is not always straightforward, especially in regions where cultural norms differ significantly from modern medical recommendations.
In Northern Nigeria, for instance, culture plays a significant role in shaping maternal activities, including breastfeeding. To improve breastfeeding practices effectively, it is crucial to understand and integrate these cultural norms with scientific guidelines.
Understanding Northern Nigeria’s Culture
Northern Nigeria is a region rich in cultural, religious, and social traditions. These traditions deeply influence daily life, including how mothers approach breastfeeding.
For many generations, these cultural practices have been passed down, creating a strong adherence to traditional methods.
Understanding these cultural practices is essential for promoting effective breastfeeding strategies that align with both scientific recommendations and local customs.
Northern Nigeria is predominantly inhabited by ethnic groups such as the Hausa, Fulani, and Kanuri, who have rich cultural and religious traditions. Islam is the dominant religion, and its teachings, along with traditional customs, greatly influence daily life, including maternal and childcare practices.
Traditional Beliefs and Practices Around Breastfeeding
There are many traditional and cultural practices of people in northern Nigeria that affect breastfeeding. Some of these beliefs will be discussed as follows:
Colostrum, the first milk produced after childbirth, is often viewed with suspicion by some northern communities. The communities believe it is dirty or insufficient for the baby and may discard it, delaying the initiation of breastfeeding. This is totally in contradiction with what science believes. Colostrum is the most important milk for a newborn as it is rich in all the necessary nutrients.
It is common for newborns to be given water, herbal mixtures, or other liquids shortly after birth. This practice is believed to cleanse the baby’s system or provide additional protection against illnesses. However, this can interfere with exclusive breastfeeding.
In the North, babies from a young age, may be introduced to solid foods or animal milk. This stems from a belief that breast milk alone is not sufficient for the baby’s growth and health, leading to mixed feeding practices.
While breastfeeding is generally encouraged, the duration varies. Some mothers may wean their children early due to social or economic pressures, while others may continue breastfeeding well into the toddler years, depending on family and community norms.
The Question of Exclusive Breastfeeding
Exclusive breastfeeding, where an infant is fed only breast milk for the first six months of life, is strongly supported by scientific research. This practice provides complete nutrition and immunity boosters essential for a baby’s development.
However, in Northern Nigeria, traditional beliefs and practices often conflict with this modern recommendation.
Exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months is recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) and many other health bodies.
Exclusive breastfeeding provides the following benefits:
- It provides all the necessary nutrients an infant needs.
- Strengthens the baby’s immune system, reducing the risk of infections.
- Promotes healthy weight gain and development.
- Lowers the risk of chronic conditions such as asthma and diabetes later in life.
- Enhances the bond between mother and child.
- Benefits the mother by aiding postpartum recovery and reducing the risk of certain cancers.
Traditional Beliefs Contrary to Exclusive Breastfeeding in Northern Nigeria
In Northern Nigeria, various cultural beliefs and traditions influence how infants are fed. Some of these practices, which are clearly in opposition to exclusive breastfeeding include:
- Early Introduction of Water or Herbal Mixtures: Many communities believe that giving water or herbal mixtures to newborns can cleanse the baby’s system or protect them from illnesses.
- Supplementing with Solid Foods: There is a belief that breast milk alone is not sufficient, leading to early introduction of solid foods or other liquids.
- Colostrum Misconceptions: Some traditions view colostrum, the first milk produced after birth, as harmful or insufficient, leading to its rejection.
These practices often result from deep-rooted beliefs passed down through generations and are reinforced by community elders and traditional healers.
The Clash Between Science and Tradition
The disparity between scientific recommendations and traditional practices poses a challenge for healthcare providers trying to promote exclusive breastfeeding.
Mothers often face pressure from family and community members to adhere to traditional practices, even if they are aware of the benefits of exclusive breastfeeding.
To promote better breastfeeding practices, it’s important to harmonize modern medical advice with traditional beliefs.
This can be achieved through community education programs that respect cultural values, training healthcare providers to be culturally sensitive, and creating policies that support both modern and traditional practices.
Influence of Religion and Family on Breastfeeding
Islamic teachings play a crucial role in shaping breastfeeding practices. The Quran encourages breastfeeding for up to two years, which aligns with modern health recommendations.
However, the interpretation and implementation of these teachings can vary. Religious leaders, or Imams, can significantly influence maternal practices by advocating for or against certain behaviors.
Also, in the North, extended families and community members often play a pivotal role in child-rearing decisions. Grandmothers, in particular, are influential in advising new mothers on breastfeeding practices. Their experiences and traditional knowledge can either support or hinder modern breastfeeding recommendations.
Family Planning and Its Impact on Breastfeeding in Northern Nigeria
Family planning is an important aspect of reproductive health, allowing families to decide the number and spacing of their children.
In Northern Nigeria, family planning practices can significantly impact breastfeeding patterns. Understanding this relationship is crucial for developing effective maternal and child health strategies.
Cultural norms and religious beliefs heavily influence family planning practices. Islam, the predominant religion, generally supports family planning, but the interpretation and acceptance of contraceptive methods vary.
Traditional practices and the influence of extended families also play a role in shaping attitudes toward family planning.
Impacts of Family Planning on Breastfeeding
1. Birth Spacing:
Adequate birth spacing, facilitated by effective family planning, can positively influence breastfeeding practices. Longer intervals between pregnancies allow mothers to breastfeed each child for an extended period, often up to two years, as recommended by Islam and health organizations.
Shorter intervals between pregnancies, often due to a lack of family planning, can lead to early weaning. When a mother becomes pregnant soon after giving birth, she may stop breastfeeding earlier than planned due to physical discomfort, societal expectations, or advice from family members.
2. Maternal Health and Nutrition:
Effective family planning contributes to better maternal health by preventing frequent pregnancies, which can deplete a mother’s nutritional reserves. A healthier mother is more likely to produce sufficient breast milk and maintain breastfeeding for a longer duration.
Conversely, without proper family planning, frequent pregnancies can lead to maternal exhaustion and malnutrition, negatively affecting milk production and the ability to breastfeed exclusively.
3. Economic and Social Factors:
Family planning can improve a family’s economic stability, allowing parents to allocate more resources and attention to each child. This can create a supportive environment for breastfeeding.
In contrast, larger family sizes without adequate planning may strain resources, leading mothers to return to work sooner and potentially reduce breastfeeding duration.
Recommendations for Improving Breastfeeding
Improving breastfeeding practices in Northern Nigeria involves a few key steps:
Community Education: Develop educational programs that respect and incorporate cultural values.
Healthcare Training: Train healthcare providers to understand and respect cultural practices while promoting the benefits of breastfeeding.
Supportive Policies: Implement policies that support breastfeeding mothers, such as maternity leave and breastfeeding-friendly workplaces.
Community Involvement: Engage local leaders and elders to endorse breastfeeding practices, making the message more relatable and accepted.
Conclusion
Improving breastfeeding practices in Northern Nigeria requires a blend of modern science and traditional wisdom. By understanding and respecting cultural norms, we can develop effective strategies that benefit both mothers and children. With community support and appropriate policies, we can ensure that every child in Northern Nigeria has the best start in life through the practice of breastfeeding.
Understanding the cultural context of breastfeeding in Northern Nigeria is crucial for promoting effective and sustainable breastfeeding practices. By respecting and integrating traditional beliefs with modern scientific recommendations, it is possible to improve the health and well-being of infants and mothers in the region. Engaging community leaders, providing culturally sensitive education, and supporting mothers through community-based initiatives are key strategies for achieving this goal
