Only 5 out of every 10 babies under six months exclusively breastfed in Liberia

Liberia, 7 August 2020 Five out of every 10 babies in Liberia receive plain water, other liquids and foods in addition to breastmilk during their first six months of life, contributing to child malnutrition, illnesses and even death. The ˜Stronger With Breastmilk Only" multi-year campaign launched today by the Government of Liberia and UNICEF calls on stakeholders, partners, businesses, communities and families to ensure that mothers get the support they need to give their babies the best start in life.

Having a comprehensive national strategy that protects, promotes and supports breastfeeding is the most effective way to influence the environmental, social, economic and behavioural factors that influence a mothers decision to feed a child breastmilk only in the first six months of life, Dr. Wilhelmina Jallah, Minister of Health in Liberia.

Despite the significant efforts that have been made in recent years by the Government of Liberia with the support of UNICEF and other partners, to improve child nutrition, one third of the children in Liberia suffer from chronic malnutrition (2019-2020, LDHS).  This means that too many children suffer from stunted growth, or the unsuspected hunger which is lack of essential vitamins and minerals. Stunting is irreversible and negatively affects a child's brain function, organ development, and immune system, which can then result in poor achievement at school, decreased productivity and earnings in adult life, greater risk of developing obesity and diabetes later in life, and ultimately, diminished chances of escaping the cycle of poverty.

Breastmilk is a pure gift. It is a baby's first vaccine and best source of nutrients. Promoting, protecting and supporting mothers to give breastmilk only, no water, for the first six months of life requires encouragement and support from family members, health care providers, employers, policymakers and the whole communities, said Laila O. Gad, UNICEF Representative in Liberia. Together, we can make a difference.

For babies under six months to stay healthy, scientific evidence recommends giving them breastmilk only and on demand (day and night). No water, other liquids or foods should be given from the moment of birth until they reach six months of life, even in hot and dry climates, as breastmilk contains all the water and nutrients a baby needs to grow well. According to studies in low- and middle-income countries, babies who receive liquids and food in addition to breastmilk before six months of age are at greater risk of diarrhoea and respiratory infections. They are almost three times more at risk of dying than those who are exclusively breastfed.

Breastfeeding also has significant benefits for mothers by hastening recovery after childbirth, delaying the return of the menstrual cycle thus helping with birth spacing, and reducing the risk of cancer.

The costs of not breastfeeding are enormous: in addition to thousands of preventable deaths of children, it costs Liberia US$200,000 dollars annually to treat children with diarrhoea and pneumonia and type II diabetes in mothers that visit health facilities due to inadequate breastfeeding. Liberia stands to lose more than US$14 million a year due to future cognitive losses associated with not breastfeeding.

A 2019 poll conducted by UNICEF in 10 countries in West and Central Africa revealed that in Liberia 56 per cent of youth incorrectly believe that babies need water in the first six months of life. Additionally, 46 per cent of respondents thought that babies should be given something in addition to breastmilk in order to grow strong and healthy. During the COVID-19 pandemic 71 per cent of the same youth incorrectly believe that mothers who think they have COVID-19 should NOT continue breastfeeding. The Stronger With Breastmilk Only campaign focuses on stopping the practice of giving water to babies younger than six months as an entry point for shifting norms and behaviours towards improved breastfeeding practices.

Breastfeeding is a team effort, governments, families, religious and community leaders, need to continue to advocate for increased maternity and respect for breastfeeding by employers including those in the private sector, and for the establishment of clean and secure spaces near workplaces where breastfeeding mothers can breastfeed, said Samuel Mawunganidze, UNICEF Deputy representative in Liberia.

The Stronger With Breastmilk Only campaign aims to catalyze much-needed policy, social, institutional, community and family dialogue and change towards improving breastfeeding rates in Liberia. It calls on governments, partners and businesses in Liberia to take action and position exclusive breastfeeding as a public health priority to improve the health and prosperity of children and nations.

More on the "Stronger With Breastmilk Only" Campaign

Materials are available for download on the campaign web page