Expert has advised women, especially expectant mother, to allow their husbands  to suck their breasts regularly.

A Chief Nursing Sister in Lagos, Roseline Oladimeji, who gave the advice, urged

 pregnant women to allow their husbands suck their breasts to prepare them ahead of breastfeeding after delivery.

Ms Oladimeji spoke on Thursday during a sensitisation programme to mark the 2021 World Breastfeeding Week (WBW), explaining that sucking would prepare their breasts during pregnancy against  lactation challenges after delivery.

The event was organised by the Amuwo Odofin Maternal and Child Centre (AOMCC), Festac Town.

She described the colostrum – the yellowish milk - the first wave of milk that flows within the first five days of delivery as containing vital nutrients that help boost baby’s immune system.

“Allow your husbands to suck your breasts during pregnancy. Apart from bonding, it will help the nipples to be out and make it easier for your baby to latch on.

“You can also rub vaseline on your nipples at night before going to sleep. It also helps to soften it, (the breasts),” she said.

She however warned that  certain food, herbs and medications could hurt babies if they infiltrate the breast milk, citing palmwine which some women drink presumably to improve lactation could easily leech alcohol into the baby’s system during breastfeeding.

Also, the Maternity’s Dietician, Gbemisola Ogundipe, advised lactating mothers to take well-balanced meals and lots of water to enhance both the volume and quality of their breast milk.

“A breastfeeding mother should have meat, fish, eggs and vegetables in her meals. She should also take a glass of juice or smoothies.

“She should increase her fluid intake and this can come in form of water, milk, yoghurt, ice cream and pap,” she said.

Ms Ogundipe harped on the importance  of  exclusive breastfeeding as not only beneficial to the babies but also to the mothers and their families.

According to her, it helps to take the mother to her pre-pregnancy weight and lessen financial burdens on families.

 The dietician also cautioned women against weaning their babies before their first birthday, dismisding as baseless and misconception the notion that breast milk changed to blood when a child turns one year.