GENEVA/NEW YORK: The global rate of exclusive breastfeeding for infants under six months has risen by more than 10pc, reaching 48pc, over the past 12 years, with hundreds of thousands of babies benefiting from the health advantages of breastfeeding.
While this rate is getting closer to the World Health Organization’s target of achieving at least 50pc exclusive breastfeeding by 2025, significant challenges remain. As per recent data, adequate breastfeeding support can save over 820,000 children's lives annually.
Breastfeeding provides critical protection for babies through antibodies that guard against illness and death, particularly during emergencies, besides reducing the incidence of childhood diseases and lowering the risk of certain cancers and noncommunicable diseases in mothers.
In recognition of World Breastfeeding Week, themed “Closing the Gap: Breastfeeding Support for All,” UNICEF and WHO emphasize the need for improved breastfeeding support to reduce health inequity and uphold the rights of mothers and infants to thrive.
Approximately 4.5 billion people, more than half of the global population, lack comprehensive access to essential health services, leaving many women without the necessary support to breastfeed optimally. Effective support includes access to trained, empathetic, and respectful health advice throughout a mother’s breastfeeding journey.
Accurate data collection is crucial for addressing healthcare inequalities and ensuring timely, effective breastfeeding support. Currently, only half of all countries monitor breastfeeding rates. Comprehensive data on breastfeeding-related policies, such as family-friendly employment practices, regulation of breastmilk substitute marketing, and investment in breastfeeding initiatives, is also essential. Enhancing monitoring systems will improve policy effectiveness, guide better decision-making, and ensure adequate funding for support systems.
When breastfeeding is properly supported, women are over twice as likely to breastfeed. This responsibility is shared among families, communities, healthcare workers, policymakers, and other stakeholders.
To advance breastfeeding support, several actions are recommended. First, there should be increased investment in breastfeeding programs and policies through dedicated national budgets. Additionally, family-friendly workplace policies must be implemented and monitored, including paid maternity leave, breastfeeding breaks, and access to quality childcare.
It is also essential to ensure that at-risk and under-represented communities receive appropriate breastfeeding support and counseling. Improving the monitoring of breastfeeding programs and policies will enhance both rates and effectiveness. Furthermore, developing and enforcing laws that restrict the marketing of breastmilk substitutes, including digital marketing, is crucial, as is monitoring compliance with the Code.
By working together to close the breastfeeding support gap, we can significantly improve health outcomes for mothers and infants worldwide.