Global exclusive breastfeeding rates soar saving thousands of lives

 

A nursing mother 

In the past 12 years, the number of infants under six months of age who are exclusively breastfed has increased by over 10% globally, bringing the total to 48%.

This milestone translates to hundreds of thousands of babies whose lives have been saved by breastfeeding, highlighting a significant step towards the World Health Organization’s target of achieving at least 50% exclusive breastfeeding by 2025.

Despite this progress, persistent challenges remain. UNICEF and WHO emphasize that when mothers receive the necessary support to breastfeed their babies, everyone benefits.

Current data indicates that improving breastfeeding rates could save over 820,000 children’s lives annually.

“During the critical period of early growth and development, the antibodies in breast milk protect babies against illness and death,” states the WHO.

This protection is crucial, especially during emergencies when breastfeeding ensures a safe, nutritious, and accessible food source for infants and young children.

Additionally, breastfeeding reduces the burden of childhood illnesses and lowers the risk of certain types of cancers and non-communicable diseases for mothers.

This World Breastfeeding Week, under the theme “Closing the gap: Breastfeeding support for all,” UNICEF and WHO are calling for enhanced breastfeeding support as a vital action for reducing health inequity and safeguarding the rights of mothers and babies to survive and thrive.

However, an estimated 4.5 billion people—more than half of the world’s population—do not have full coverage of essential health services.

Consequently, many women lack the support needed to optimally breastfeed their babies, including access to trained, empathetic, and respectful health advice and counselling throughout their breastfeeding journey.

“Reliable data collection is crucial to addressing healthcare inequalities and ensuring that mothers and families receive timely and effective breastfeeding support,” emphasizes UNICEF.

Currently, only half of all countries collect data on breastfeeding rates. To support progress, comprehensive data on policy actions that facilitate breastfeeding—such as family-friendly employment policies, regulation of breast milk substitute marketing, and investment in breastfeeding—is also needed.

Improved monitoring systems will enhance the effectiveness of breastfeeding policies and programs, inform better decision-making, and ensure adequate financing of support systems.

Research indicates that when breastfeeding is protected and supported, women are more than twice as likely to breastfeed their infants. This shared responsibility involves families, communities, healthcare workers, policymakers, and other decision-makers. Key actions include:

• Increasing investment in programs and policies: Protect and support breastfeeding through dedicated national budgets.
• Implementing and monitoring family-friendly workplace policies: Include paid maternity leave, breastfeeding breaks, and access to affordable, good-quality childcare.
• Providing support to at-risk mothers in emergencies or underrepresented communities: Ensure they receive breastfeeding protection and support, including timely and effective counselling as part of routine health coverage.
• Enhancing monitoring of breastfeeding programs and policies: Use data to inform and improve breastfeeding rates.
• Developing and enforcing laws restricting the marketing of breast milk substitutes: Include monitoring to report Code violations, including digital marketing practices.

This World Breastfeeding Week serves as a reminder of the critical importance of breastfeeding support in promoting the health and well-being of both infants and mothers globally.

By Beth Nyaga