The first six months of life are critical for child health and development. Breastmilk provides all the nutrients infants need during this period, supporting brain development and reducing the risk of infection and malnutrition.

Nigeria has recently made progress toward strengthening policies and programs in support of maternal, infant and young child nutrition (MIYCN). However, progress has been limited to specific states—and creating strong plans for implementation of new policies remains a challenge.

This brief summarize the global research on breastfeeding and its implications for Nigeria. The benefits of breastfeeding go beyond individual health. Breastfeeding impacts the country’s social and economic development and has implications for reaching national and global health targets.

This advocacy brief makes the case for the importance of exclusive breastfeeding, aims to sensitize policymakers on the value of exclusive breastfeeding and policies/programs that ensure mothers/caregivers do not offer infants any water for the first six months of life.

This advocacy brief is part of efforts to improve maternity protections to increase exclusive breastfeeding rates, health outcomes, and economic growth and development in Nigeria.

This series of country briefs report on key maternal and child nutrition indicators, progress towards reaching the World Health Assembly global nutrition targets, and current implementation of recommended policies and plans.