Every Nigerian mother deserves the right support to give her baby the healthiest start. World Breastfeeding Week is a time to highlight the incredible benefits of breastfeeding for both babies and mothers. This week is our long-term commitment to supporting maternal and child health through education, access to care, and workplace wellness initiatives.
Why Breastfeeding Matters
Breast milk is a baby’s first vaccine. It provides complete nutrition, strengthens immunity, and fosters lifelong health benefits. For mothers, breastfeeding lowers the risk of breast and ovarian cancers, helps with postpartum recovery, and builds a lasting emotional bond. Despite these benefits, only about 3 in 10 Nigerian infants are exclusively breastfed for the first six months, far below global targets. This gap reflects a mix of workplace pressures, cultural myths, and limited postnatal support.
The Barriers Working Nigerian Mothers Face
From our experience working with women and families across Nigeria, we’ve seen the same challenges repeat themselves:
- Short maternity leave and limited workplace support make exclusive breastfeeding difficult.
- Cultural beliefs and misinformation lead some women to supplement too early.
- Lack of professional guidance leaves mothers struggling with latch or milk-supply issues.
We believe no mother should face these struggles alone and that’s where the right health plan can make a real difference.
How Bastion HMO Supports Nursing Mothers
Through our corporate health plans, we make it easier for mothers to breastfeed successfully by providing:
- Access to antenatal and postnatal care; so mothers receive consistent, high-quality guidance from pregnancy to delivery and beyond.
- Access to 24/7 specialist and general care via our Octodoc telemedicine platform, available anywhere in Nigeria.
- Workplace wellness partnerships; we help employers design lactation-friendly policies and onsite facilities.
- Immunization and infant growth monitoring coverage, included in family and corporate plans.
- Maternal mental-health support, because postpartum wellness is as important as physical recovery. Our cooperate plans include FREE Virtual therapy for mothers going through postpartum depression through our partnership with Akoma Health
Together, these programs make sure mothers give birth safely and thrive while nurturing their babies.
What Employers Can Do
As Nigeria’s workforce evolves, employers have a unique opportunity to build a supportive culture for working mothers. Bastion partners with HR teams to create:
- Private lactation rooms and designated pumping breaks
- Education sessions for managers and staff on breastfeeding rights and benefits
- Return-to-work programs that help mothers transition smoothly after maternity leave
These small but meaningful policies help companies retain talent, reduce absenteeism, and boost employee satisfaction.
Practical Tips for New Mothers
Our health plans give you access to:
- Begin breastfeeding within the first hour of birth.
- Exclusively breastfeed for six months before introducing complementary foods.
- Stay hydrated and eat nutrient-rich meals to maintain supply.
- Ask for help, from your healthcare provider, a lactation consultant, or Bastion’s care team.
Our Promise
Our mission is to make preventive, family-focused healthcare accessible to every Nigerian home and workplace. Whether you’re a first-time mother, an HR leader, or a healthcare professional, you can count on us to keep promoting better maternal health outcomes — one breastfeeding journey at a time.
Explore our Family Health Plans to access counselling, pediatric check-ups, and 24/7 telemedicine support.
For Employers: Book a Maternal Wellness Audit with our corporate health team to make your workplace more mother-friendly.
➡️ Contact Bastion HMO Today to learn more.
FAQs
Q: Can Bastion HMO help me find a post-partum counsellor?
A: Yes, through our Akoma Health partnership we connect mothers with certified therapists online
