According to her, the husband especially has a crucial role to play before the Antenatal Care (ANC) or formative stage in getting the pores of the nipples to be ready for the baby to feed.
Essien, while speaking with newsmen in Uyo on the 2023 World Breastfeeding Week, said the support of the community and the family was crucial in sustaining practice of exclusive breastfeeding.
Essien, who is a director in the Ministry of Health, said family members should encourage young mothers to feed their babies exclusively in the first six months to stimulate the growth of their babies.
