Breastfeeding mother and her child

Breastfeeding is the world’s most effective and least costly life saver. It plays a critical role in reducing child mortality, protecting against infectious diseases and preventing stunting, a form of chronic malnutrition that affects 165 million children globally. World Breastfeeding week takes place 1- 7 August and this year focuses on support for mothers.WHO promotes […]

Breastfeeding is the world’s most effective and least costly life saver. It plays a critical role in reducing child mortality, protecting against infectious diseases and preventing stunting, a form of chronic malnutrition that affects 165 million children globally.
World Breastfeeding week takes place 1- 7 August and this year focuses on support for mothers.
WHO promotes breastfeeding as the best source of nourishment for infants and young children and one of the most effective ways to ensure child health and survival. Breast milk is safe and contains antibodies that help protect infants from common childhood illnesses. Breast milk is readily available and affordable. People who were breastfed as babies are less likely to be overweight or obese later in life. They may also be less prone to diabetes and perform better in intelligence tests.
According to WHO ‘If every child in the world were breastfed, some 220 000 lives could be saved each year. A recent analysis of studies in Ghana, India and Peru showed that infants who were not breastfed were 10 times more likely to die than those who were predominantly or exclusively breastfed.’
Breastfeeding is the normal way of providing young infants with the nutrients they need for healthy growth and development. Virtually all mothers can breastfeed, provided they have accurate information, and the support of their family, the health care system and society at large. Colostrum, the yellowish, sticky breast milk produced at the end of pregnancy, is recommended by WHO as the perfect food for the newborn, and feeding should be initiated within the first hour after birth. Exclusive breastfeeding is recommended up to 6 months of age, with continued breastfeeding along with appropriate complementary foods up to two years of age or beyond. Breastfeeding is one of the most effective ways to ensure child health and survival.
‘If every child was breastfed within an hour of birth, given only breast milk for their first six months of life, and continued breastfeeding up to the age of two years, about 220 000 child lives would be saved every year. Globally, less than 40% of infants under six months of age are exclusively breastfed. Adequate breastfeeding counselling and support are essential for mothers and families to initiate and maintain optimal breastfeeding practices.’
What is recommended by W.H.O?
WHO recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life. At six months, solid foods, such as mashed fruits and vegetables, should be introduced to complement breastfeeding for up to two years or more. In addition: breastfeeding should begin within one hour of birth, breastfeeding should be “on demand”, as often as the child wants day and night; and bottles or pacifiers should be avoided.
Health benefits for infants
Breast milk is the ideal food for newborns and infants. It gives infants all the nutrients they need for healthy development. It is safe and contains antibodies that help protect infants from common childhood illnesses such as diarrhoea and pneumonia, the two primary causes of child mortality worldwide. Breast milk is readily available and affordable, which helps to ensure that infants get adequate nutrition.
Benefits for mothers
Breastfeeding also benefits mothers. Exclusive breastfeeding is associated with a natural (though not fail-safe) method of birth control (98% protection in the first six months after birth). It reduces risks of breast and ovarian cancer later in life, helps women return to their pre-pregnancy weight faster, and lowers rates of obesity.
Long-term benefits for children
Beyond the immediate benefits for children, breastfeeding contributes to a lifetime of good health. Adolescents and adults who were breastfed as babies are less likely to be overweight or obese. They are less likely to have type-2 diabetes and perform better in intelligence tests.
Why not infant formula?
Infant formula does not contain the antibodies found in breast milk. When infant formula is not properly prepared, there are risks arising from the use of unsafe water and unsterilized equipment or the potential presence of bacteria in powdered formula. Malnutrition can result from over-diluting formula to “stretch” supplies.
HIV and breastfeeding
An HIV-infected mother can pass the infection to her infant during pregnancy, delivery and through breastfeeding. Antiretroviral (ARV) drugs given to either the mother or HIV-exposed infant reduces the risk of transmission. Together, breastfeeding and ARVs have the potential to significantly improve infants’ chances of surviving while remaining HIV uninfected. WHO recommends that when HIV-infected mothers breastfeed, they should receive ARVs and follow WHO guidance for infant feeding.
Work and breastfeeding
Many mothers who return to work abandon breastfeeding partially or completely because they do not have sufficient time, or a place to breastfeed, express and store their milk. Mothers need a safe, clean and private place in or near their workplace to continue breastfeeding. Enabling conditions at work, such as paid maternity leave, part-time work arrangements, on-site crèches, facilities for expressing and storing breast milk, and breastfeeding breaks, can help.
There is no good substitute to breast milk, lets spread the message and support our mothers to breastfeed our children.
All comments to Dr Aminu Magashi at [email protected]