Exclusively Breastfeeding Babies Until 6 Mos. Sharply Improves Their Immune Systems, Agree Experts

Photo courtesy of the Pennsylvania Depart. of Health.

There is always a lot of uproar about whether there should be breastfeeding in public or not, but what there’s no doubt about is that it’s the best way to insure optimal health in infancy and later in life, according to global health agencies now in the midst of celebrating World Breastfeeding Week.

“This year’s theme stresses the importance of breastfeeding as a life-saving intervention, especially during emergencies,” said Dr. Margaret Chan, director general of the World Health Organization.

“In all situations, the best way of preventing malnutrition and mortality among infants and young children is to ensure that they start breastfeeding within one hour of birth, and breastfeed exclusively, with no food or liquid other than breast milk (not even water) until six months of age,” said Chan, adding that mothers should “continue breastfeeding with appropriate complementary foods up to two years or beyond.”

These views were reiterated by Ann M. Veneman, executive director of UNICEF, who further expressed that, “optimal breastfeeding in the first two years of life, especially exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months, can have the single largest impact on child survival (of disease and infection) of all preventative interventions, with the potential to prevent 12 percent to 15 percent of all deaths under age five in the developing world.”

Graphic courtesy of sekarani.wordpress.com.

Despite the benefits of breastfeeding, Ms. Veneman laments that “globally, the rate of exclusive breastfeeding is still only around 38 percent,” but is encouraged that “in the last 10 years, 14 countries have shown a more than 20 percent increase in the rates of exclusive breastfeeding.” These countries include: Madagascar, Pakistan, and the Central African Republic.

The consensus was that especially among countries that had recently endured natural disasters, breastfeeding was best because as Ms. Veneman put it, “in areas where clean water is lacking, powdered milk and powdered formulas can increase the risk of water-borne illnesses such as diarrhea.”

During such emergencies, Chan added that, “unsolicited or uncontrolled donations of breast-milk substitutes may undermine breastfeeding and should be avoided. Instead, the focus should be on active protection and support of breastfeeding. An examples of this would be establishing safe corners for mothers and infants, one-to-one counseling, and mother-to-mother support.”

Around the world, contributing factors to decreased levels of breastfeeding include:

• Dietary restrictions on the mother (no alcohol, limited caffeine. etc).
• Nipple sensitivities.
• Work/time restraints.

A valuable site where mothers can learn more about breastfeeding, including answers to common concerns, a nursing video, and a community to talk to other women is Breastfeeding.com.

Reader commentary and input is always welcomed!