– Breastfeeding Doesn’t Cause Sagging – Chairman Tells Mothers
IGANDO IKOTUN, LAGOS – The Igando-Ikotun Local Council Development Area (LCDA), on Monday, flagged off the 2026 World Breastfeeding Week, with a call on mothers to embrace exclusive breastfeeding.
World Breastfeeding Week is observed annually from August 1 to 7 to promote, protect and support breastfeeding while raising awareness of its health benefits for infants, young children and mothers.
The Chairman of the LCDA, Mr. Akinsanya Lasisi Ayinde, used the occasion to dispel the widespread belief that breastfeeding causes breasts to sag.
Akinsanya said breast sagging is a natural consequence of ageing and not a result of breastfeeding, warning that withholding breast milk from infants based on such misconceptions could expose them to malnutrition and other preventable childhood illnesses.
The Chairman spoke during the flag-off ceremony held at the Ikotun Primary Health Centre, organised by the Igando-Ikotun Primary Healthcare Department in collaboration with the Lagos State Ministry of Health and development partners.
The 2026 campaign is themed: “Breastfeeding for a Sustainable Start in Life: Strengthen What Works.”
The event was attended by the Council Vice Chairman, Prince Adewumi Dada; Leader of the House, Hon. Olorunfemi Tajudeen; Secretary to the Local Government, Hon. Mojisola Badmus; councillors, supervisors, the Council Manager, management staff and other stakeholders in the health sector.
Addressing participants, Akinsanya expressed concern that some women deliberately deny their babies breast milk because they fear breastfeeding will affect their physical appearance.
“Breastfeeding is not what makes your breasts fall. Your breasts naturally fall with age, whether you give it to your children or not,” he said.
He stressed that exclusive breastfeeding remains one of the most effective and affordable ways to protect infants from malnutrition, infections and other preventable diseases, urging mothers to prioritise their children’s health over misconceptions.
The Permanent Secretary, Lagos Health District I, Dr. Sola Pitan, described breastfeeding as a proven, life-saving practice that significantly improves child survival and healthy development.
According to him, this year’s World Breastfeeding Week theme underscores the importance of strengthening interventions that have consistently improved child nutrition and maternal health outcomes.
Dr. Pitan commended the Lagos State Government for approving six months’ paid maternity leave for nursing mothers, describing the policy as a major step towards enabling mothers to practise exclusive breastfeeding during the critical first six months of a child’s life.
He noted that while breastfeeding is widely accepted among mothers, adherence to recommended breastfeeding practices still requires improvement.
“Breastfeeding remains a valued practice with more than nine in 10 mothers breastfeeding their children, but unfortunately, the optimal practices are not there,” he said.
Health experts maintain that exclusive breastfeeding during the first six months of life provides babies with all the nutrients they need, strengthens their immune systems and lays a solid foundation for healthy growth and development.
