First two-years of breastfeeding would save 8.2L babies annually: WHO
What's the story
Breastfeeding babies for the first two years would save the lives of more than 8,20,000 children annually, according to the new 10-point WHO-UNICEF guidelines, which is aimed at promoting breastfeeding. "Breastfeeding also improves IQ, school readiness, and attendance and is associated with higher income in adult life (for the babies). It also reduces the risk of breast cancer in the mother," it said.
Benefits
Breastfeeding within first hour of birth protect kids from infections
UNICEF Executive Director Henrietta H Fore said, "Breastfeeding within the first hour of birth protects newborn babies from infections and saves lives." "Infants are at greater risk of death due to diarrhea/other-infections when they partially breastfed or not breastfed." "But breastfeeding requires support, encouragement, and guidance. With these basic steps, implemented properly, we can significantly improve breastfeeding rates around the world," Fore added.
Guidelines
WHO-UNICEF guidelines aim to increase support for breastfeeding globally
The new 10-point WHO-UNICEF guidelines aim at increasing support for breastfeeding in health facilities across the globe, providing maternity and newborn services. Listing practical steps that countries should take "to protect, promote and support breastfeeding in facilities providing maternity and newborn services," the guidelines seek to encourage new mothers to breastfeed and apprise health workers of steps to support it.
Recommendation
Guidelines recommend limited use of breast milk substitutes, responsive feeding
The new ten-point WHO-UNICEF guidelines described how hospitals should have a written breastfeeding policy in place, staff competencies, and antenatal and post-birth care, including breastfeeding support for mothers. The guidelines also recommend limited use of breast milk substitutes, responsive feeding, educating parents on the use of bottles and pacifiers, and support when mothers and babies are discharged from the hospital.
Information
Breastfeeding decides the potential of newborn child
WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said that in many hospitals and communities around the world, whether a child can be breastfed or not can make the difference between life and death, and whether a child will develop to reach his or her full potential.