India has made significant strides in promoting breastfeeding, with 64 percent of newborns now exclusively breastfed for the first six months of life, surpassing the World Health Assembly‘s goal of 50 percent by 2025. This progress underscores the country’s commitment to improving child health and nutrition. World Breastfeeding Week (WBW), observed annually from August 1-7 since 1982, plays a crucial role in raising awareness about the life-saving benefits of breastfeeding. The 2024 theme, “Closing the Gap: Breastfeeding Support for All,” reflects a global commitment to recognizing and supporting the diverse breastfeeding journeys of mothers. It emphasizes the essential role that families, communities, and healthcare providers play in ensuring that every mother has the support she needs.
In an exclusive conversation with The Interview World, Dr. Richa Singh Pandey, Nutrition Specialist at UNICEF India, highlights the importance of breastfeeding as a foundation for a child’s healthy development. She elaborates on the numerous benefits breastfeeding provides to both mothers and children, including improved immunity and bonding. Dr. Pandey also discusses the legal frameworks India has established to encourage breastfeeding and the critical role of multisectoral partnerships in promoting breastfeeding practices nationwide, ensuring that more mothers can successfully breastfeed their infants.
Q: How does World Breastfeeding Week contribute to global awareness and advocacy for breastfeeding as a crucial aspect of maternal and child health?
A: Celebrating Breastfeeding Week in the first week of August annually is a powerful reminder of the ongoing need to support breastfeeding mothers throughout the year. This initiative also highlights the shared responsibility of families, communities, and workplaces in fostering a supportive environment. The focus is on the importance of breastfeeding-friendly policies, healthcare provider assistance, and inclusive workplace practices. These elements are crucial in empowering mothers to successfully breastfeed, which is fundamental to giving their children the best possible start in life. By reinforcing these practices, we ensure that every mother has the resources and encouragement to nurture her child’s health and well-being.
Q: How does breastfeeding contribute to a child’s health and long-term survival?
A: Breastfeeding is a cornerstone of child health and survival, offering unparalleled benefits. Breastfed children have essential antibodies that protect them from several diseases, establishing breastfeeding as a reliable, nutritious, and sustainable source of nourishment. Moreover, exclusive breastfeeding plays a critical role in preventing illnesses, reducing the risks of wasting and stunting, and addressing micronutrient deficiencies. Importantly, it functions as the infant’s initial vaccine, providing crucial protection against common childhood ailments. This natural practice not only supports immediate health but also fortifies the breastfed child’s long-term well-being, underscoring its significance in early life care and development.
Q: What are the key health and developmental benefits of breastfeeding for both mother and child?
A: For optimal infant nutrition, initiate breastfeeding within the first hour of birth. Exclusively breastfeed for the initial six months, avoiding other foods or liquids. Following this period, introduce a variety of nutritious, home-cooked semi-solid or solid foods while maintaining breastfeeding until the child is two years old. This practice supports breastfed children’s growth and their long-term health.
Breastfeeding provides significant health benefits for mothers as well. It mitigates risks of postpartum hemorrhage, postpartum depression, and several cancers, including ovarian and breast. Additionally, it lowers the risk of heart disease and type 2 diabetes. By reducing the incidence of maternal illness, breastfeeding contributes to decreased healthcare costs and promotes the well-being of the entire family.
Q: What progress has been made in advancing breastfeeding programs across the country?
A: India has achieved notable progress in enhancing exclusive breastfeeding rates, a critical measure for infant health. The National Family Health Survey (NFHS) 2019-2021 reveals that 64 percent of newborns in India are now exclusively breastfed for the first six months, a significant increase from 55 percent in 2015-16. This progress exceeds the World Health Assembly’s target of 50 percent by 2025, underscoring India’s dedication to improving early childhood nutrition.
Central to this success is the Government of India’s Mother’s Absolute Affection (MAA) program, initiated in 2018. This initiative plays a pivotal role by promoting breastfeeding and providing essential counseling services through health systems. MAA’s comprehensive approach includes support from trained professionals and targeted community outreach. Additionally, Anganwadi workers conduct home-based counseling, further bolstering these efforts. Together, these measures are significantly advancing the practice of exclusive breastfeeding across the country.
Q: What legal measures has India implemented to protect and promote breastfeeding among mothers?
A: In India, the Maternity Benefit Act of 1961, updated in 2017, offers comprehensive maternity benefits, including six months of maternity leave for female employees, both before and after delivery. This significant policy enhancement also supports working mothers by providing options for working from home and access to creche facilities, thereby fostering a more supportive work environment for new mothers. Complementing this, the Infant Milk Substitutes, Feeding Bottles, and Infant Foods (Regulation of Production, Supply, and Distribution) Act of 1992, amended in 2003, oversees the production, supply, and distribution of infant milk substitutes, feeding bottles, and infant foods. This legislation is designed to promote breastfeeding and ensure the proper use of infant foods, safeguarding the health and well-being of infants.
Q: Could you outline the multi-sectoral strategies recommended for enhancing breastfeeding programs in India?
A: The success of breastfeeding programs hinges on the collaborative efforts of families, communities, healthcare workers, policymakers, and other key decision-makers. Research consistently shows that women are more than twice as likely to breastfeed their infants when they receive robust protection and support for breastfeeding. To further leverage the benefits of these programs, it is imperative to amplify investment through dedicated national budgets that focus on policies and initiatives designed to safeguard and promote breastfeeding. UNICEF, in partnership with various stakeholders, is calling on governments, donors, civil society, and the private sector to intensify their commitment to investing in breastfeeding support systems and policies.
Once breastfed infants reach six months of age, it becomes crucial to introduce semi-solid or solid foods that complement breastmilk. This transition ensures that children receive the necessary nutrients for their growing bodies and developing brains. In India, only 46% of breastfed children between 6-8 months old currently receive these additional foods alongside breastmilk, according to NFHS-5 (2019-2021). To address this gap, it is vital to bolster family and community efforts to improve the rate of complementary feeding, thereby enhancing overall child health and development.
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