Breastfeeding: The foundation of life

"Breastfeeding within an hour after birth is critical for saving newborn lives.” UNICEF Representative, Sylvie Fouet. On August 1, UNICEF in partnership with the Ministry of Health and PAHO launched the Breastfeeding Week in District Nickerie at the Mungra Streek Ziekenhuis. Breastfeeding gives all children the healthiest start in life. It stimulates brain development and protects women’s health.

Breastmilk acts as a baby’s first vaccine and breastfeeding eventually also leads to lower health care costs, healthier families and a smarter workforce. When mothers breastfeed, everyone benefits. Yet, worldwide, less than 45 per cent of children under the age of 6 months are fed only breastmilk. The2010 MICS4 data indicates that only 2.8% of children aged less than six months are exclusively breastfed in Suriname.

Exclusively breastfed meaning that the baby does not get any other types of milk, fluid or to drink or anything else to eat besides the breastmilk. By age 12‐15 months, 23% of children are still being breastfed and by age 20‐23 months, 15 % are still breastfed. Girls were more likely to be exclusively breastfed than boys. This is also true with respect to continued breastfeeding whether by age 12‐15 month or 20‐23 months.

There is an interesting dynamic to note in the urban/rural disaggregation, where the urban children have less chance of breastfeeding exclusively or predominantly at the young age, but that the opposite holds true for continued breastfeeding at age 2. During this week, awareness is given about the benefits of breastfeeding to mothers and caregivers.  And to emphasize and raise awareness that breastfeeding is not only a one-woman job. Successful breastfeeding practices require skilled instruction, a supportive environment and time. It demands that we all – families, communities, work colleagues, governments and health systems – support women who breastfeed.  Breastfeeding gives all children the healthiest start in life.