Paediatricians Push for Paid Maternity Leave and Support

Prof. Petronila Tabansi, the President of the Paediatric Association of Nigeria (PAN), has called for the revival of baby-friendly hospital initiatives and the full implementation of six-month paid maternity leave to enhance exclusive breastfeeding in Nigeria.

Speaking before the 2026 World Breastfeeding Week, she stressed the importance of reinforcing existing breastfeeding interventions rather than introducing new ones, citing that Nigeria has adequate policies to improve child nutrition and survival. Tabansi highlighted that breastfeeding is a cost-effective nutritional intervention with significant long-term benefits.

She pointed out the necessity of antenatal breastfeeding counselling and urged the nationwide expansion of the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative. Tabansi also emphasized the need for the Federal Government to ensure compliance with maternity protection policies, including breastfeeding breaks and dedicated rooms in workplaces.

She dismissed cultural barriers to breastfeeding, attributing declines to aggressive marketing of breast milk substitutes and misinformation. Additionally, she expressed concern over the promotion of these substitutes on social media and called for stricter enforcement of marketing regulations.