Breastfeeding is one of the most effective ways to maintain health and ensure child survival.
However, almost two out of three infants are not exclusively breastfed for the first six months of life as recommended – a rate that has not improved in twenty years.
Breast milk is the ideal food for infants.
It's safe, clean, and contains antibodies that protect them from many common childhood illnesses.
Breast milk provides all the energy and nutrients an infant needs during the first six months of life, and continues to cover half or more of its nutritional needs during the second half of life and up to a third of those this during the second year.
Children who have been breastfed perform better on intelligence tests and are less likely to suffer from overweight, obesity or diabetes later on.
In addition, women who breastfeed have a lower risk of developing breast or ovarian cancer.
Efforts to improve breastfeeding rates and duration around the world continue to be undermined by the inappropriate marketing of breastmilk substitutes.
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child health