Breastfeeding is crucial for child health; less than half of infants under 6 months are exclusively breastfed. Breastmilk is safe, nutritious, and protective against illnesses. It supports an infant's needs for months, even up to two years. Breastfed children excel academically, have lower obesity and diabetes risks, while breastfeeding reduces cancer risks for women. Inappropriate marketing of formula hinders global breastfeeding efforts.
WHO and UNICEF advise initiating breastfeeding within the first hour and exclusive breastfeeding for 6 months, with no other foods or liquids, including water. Feed on demand, day and night, without bottles or pacifiers. After 6 months, introduce safe complementary foods while breastfeeding up to age two or more.
The Convention on the Rights of the Child upholds the right to adequate nutrition for every child. Undernutrition contributes to 45% of child fatalities worldwide. In 2020, an estimated 149 million children under the age of 5 were classified as stunted (below average height for their age), 45 million as wasted (too thin for their height), and 38.9 million as either overweight or obese.
Sadly, only 44% of infants aged 0–6 months are exclusively breastfed, and many children lack nutritionally appropriate complementary foods. Optimizing breastfeeding could potentially save over 820,000 children's lives annually, while also enhancing cognitive development, school attendance, and future income.
Investing in breastfeeding not only benefits families but also carries economic advantages at both the individual and national levels.
Exclusive breastfeeding for 6 months benefits infants and mothers. It protects against gastrointestinal infections worldwide. Early breastfeeding initiation within 1 hour reduces newborn mortality. Mortality risk rises in partially breastfed or non-breastfed infants.
Breast milk provides crucial energy and nutrients for children aged 6–23 months, supporting growth and reducing illness-related mortality. Breastfed children are less likely to be overweight, perform better academically, and earn more as adults, benefiting both families and nations economically.
Extended breastfeeding benefits mothers by reducing cancer risks and aiding in birth spacing. Supportive measures like maternity leave policies, the International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes, and the Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding can promote breastfeeding. Community support and education play key roles.
Improving breastfeeding practices through supportive interventions is achievable and vital for child and maternal health.
Complementary feeding begins around 6 months when an infant's nutritional needs surpass breast milk. Key principles for proper complementary feeding include:
1. Continue breastfeeding until at least 2 years.
2. Practice responsive feeding, offering food patiently and encouraging without force.
3. Maintain hygiene and safe food handling.
4. Start with small amounts at 6 months and increase gradually.
5. Diversify food consistency and variety.
6. Increase meal frequency: 2–3 meals for 6–8-month-olds, 3–4 for 9–23-month-olds, plus 1–2 snacks if needed.
7. Consider fortified foods or supplements when necessary.
8. During illness, boost fluid intake, including more breastfeeding, and offer soft, preferre d foods.
In challenging circumstances, families and children need tailored support. Keeping mothers and babies together is crucial, with breastfeeding often the preferred choice, even in difficult situations like:
1. Low-birth-weight or premature infants.
2. Mothers living with HIV in areas with high mortality from diseases like diarrhea, pneumonia, and malnutrition.
3. Adolescent mothers.
4. Malnourished infants and children.
5. Families affected by complex emergencies.
Regarding HIV, breastfeeding, especially early and exclusive breastfeeding, boosts infant survival. Antiretroviral treatment for HIV-positive mothers reduces transmission risk through breastfeeding. WHO now recommends lifelong ART for all HIV-positive individuals, including pregnant and lactating women.
In settings with high morbidity and mortality from diseases like diarrhea, pneumonia, and malnutrition, breastfeeding is endorsed for at least the first year, with exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months.
Giving water to a breastfeeding baby before 6 months poses risks like diarrhea, malnutrition, and infections from unclean water. It may reduce breast milk intake and hinder future milk production for the mother.
Breast milk is over 80% water, satisfying a baby's thirst and offering protection against infections while promoting healthy growth. Babies don't require water before 6 months, even in hot climates, aligning with WHO's recommendation for exclusive breastfeeding during this period.
Exclusive breastfeeding means no additional food or liquid, including water, except for oral rehydration solution, drops, syrups, vitamins, minerals, or medicines. Breastfeeding supplies all necessary hydration while ensuring a safe water source, guarding against diarrhea.
By Andrew Anongu, DailyHealth
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