August 1, 2007: An early start on breast milk saves infants’ lives
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© 2006 UNICEF/Alena Svirid |
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Initiation of breastfeeding within the first hour of life has the potential to make a major contribution to the health of the child |
World Breastfeeding Week 2007
Each year an estimated 1.5 million infants and young children die and millions more suffer impaired growth and development, because they are not adequately breastfed.
In the recent Lancet series on Child Survival, breastfeeding (comprising of the exclusive breastfeeding among children under 6 months and continued breastfeeding among children 6-11 months of age) is considered as level 1 preventive intervention, which means sufficient evidence for this is available.
Exclusive breastfeeding for six months means that the infant receives only breastmilk or expressed breastmilk, and no other foods or drinks with the exception of drops or syrups consisting of vitamins, mineral supplements, or medicines during this time. After six months, breastfeeding should continue for two years or more along with appropriate complementary feeding.
Carel de Rooy, UNICEF Representative in Russia, said: “Many people in Russia do not believe that ‘exclusive breastfeeding’ is best for a child and mother. Many think that this is something for the poorest countries where breastfeeding actually saves lives because of poor sanitary conditions. However, the cognitive, emotional, psychological benefits of breastfeeding are still under-estimated in Russia. Wider promotion of breastfeeding can significantly influence infant mortality and prevent health and other above mentioned problems in the future”.
Basic principles for successful breastfeeding
Most babies are not exclusively breastfed. However, breastmilk can provide all that babies normally need for the first six months of life, including all the water, even in very hot climates. To ensure that her baby gets enough milk, a mother needs to:
- Be confident that she can do it, and that her milk is the safest and soundest for her baby;
- Start breastfeeding soon after delivery, to stimulate milk production;
- Know how to make sure that her baby is properly attached to the breast, so that the baby can suckle effectively;
- A baby who has other feeds is less hungry, and takes less breastmilk. Then the breasts produce less milk. The other feeds do not increase a baby’s intake; they replace breastmilk.
UNICEF Baby-friendly hospital initiative
In 1991, UNICEF and WHO launched the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative as a key strategy for achieving breastfeeding goals.
The 1994 WHA resolution on “infant and young child nutrition” affirmed the superiority of breast milk for babies, recommended exclusive breastfeeding to about six months of age, and urged countries to end distribution of free and low-cost supplies of all breast milk substitutes and other products.
Carel de Rooy, UNICEF Representative in Russia, said: “While in 1991 international association of infant food manufacturers pledged to end the detrimental marketing practice of distributing the free and low-cost supplies of infant formula to hospitals and maternity centres, there are very few indicators 16 years in the Russian Federation that they are adhering to this commitment.”
The international mid-decade goal for 1995 on breastfeeding was “making virtually all major hospitals and maternity facilities “baby friendly”. In Russia this initiative was launched in 1996 Over 240 maternity hospitals have been awarded "Baby Friendly" status and account for 21% of all births in Russia. Breast-feeding promotion also reaches mother and child outpatient facilities, and is incorporated into training curricula for doctors and health personnel.
