DATA BRIEFS: (continued)
Exclusive Breastfeeding Gains*
More infants are gaining the irreplaceable benefits of exclusive breastfeeding during their first four months, according to data
from 35 developing countries. Rates have increased in the 21 countries listed. Iran achieved the highest average annual increase
in breastfeeding, 6 percentage points, followed by Brazil and Zambia. Breastfeeding rates have declined in Colombia, Jordan,
Kenya, Kyrgyzstan, Morocco and Tunisia.
|
Breastfeeding gains stem from initiatives to publicize the benefits to both mother and child and to prohibit the advertising and
promotion of breastmilk substitutes, feeding bottles and teats. Information activities, the training of health professionals and
promotion of government policies on breastfeeding benefits have all played a role. In many countries, the Baby-Friendly
Hospital Initiative — which aims to bring maternity ward practices into line with the 'Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding'
drawn up by UNICEF and WHO — has proved effective. The number of hospitals worldwide implementing the initiative has
risen from 900 in 1994 to nearly 15,000 today.
|
|
 |
| A Lebanese mother breastfeeds her newborn. |
|
UNICEF and WHO emphasize that most babies do not need anything but breastmilk for the first six months. Breastmilk is the
ideal nourishment, and breastfeeding saves the lives of 1.5 million infants each year, preventing commonly fatal diarrhoeal
dehydration, respiratory infections and other ailments.
Women urgently need voluntary and confidential testing and counselling services to help deal with the cruel dilemma of
HIV/AIDS as it relates to breastfeeding. Baby-Friendly Hospitals are an appropriate place, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa,
to offer this support.
*Please refer to HIV and infant feeding
Breastfeeding on the Rise
|
Survey
dates |
% exclusively* breastfed
at most recent survey |
Percentage pt.
increase per year |
|
Iran |
'95 & '97 |
66 |
6 |
Brazil |
'86 & '96 |
42 |
4 |
Zambia |
'92 & '96 |
27 |
4 |
Burkina Faso |
'93 & '96 |
12 |
3 |
Egypt |
'91 & '96 |
53 |
3 |
Madagascar |
'92 & '97 |
61 |
3 |
Malawi |
'92 & '95 |
11 |
3 |
Nicaragua |
'92 & '98 |
30 |
3 |
Peru |
'86 & '96 |
63 |
3 |
Philippines |
'93 & '98 |
47 |
3 |
Ghana |
'88 & '95 |
19 |
2 |
Sri Lanka |
'87 & '93 |
24 |
2 |
Tanzania |
'92 & '96 |
41 |
2 |
Yemen |
'95 & '97 |
66 |
2 |
Cameroon |
'91 & '98 |
15 |
1 |
Dominican Rep. |
'86 & '96 |
25 |
1 |
Indonesia |
'87 & '97 |
53 |
1 |
Mali |
'87 & '96 |
13 |
1 |
Senegal |
'86 & '97 |
16 |
1 |
Togo |
'88 & '98 |
15 |
1 |
Zimbabwe |
'89 & '94 |
16 |
1 |
|
* Babies up to 4 months.
Source: DHS, MICS and other national surveys.
|