Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus and UNICEF chief Catherine Russell issued a joint statement on last month at the start of World Breastfeeding Week. In short, breastfeeding: ‘more critical than ever’ globally for many reasons.
With global crises, supply chain shocks, lack of clean water, and insecurity threaten the health and nutrition of millions of babies and children. In fact, these issues impact more than ever in recent years. Even in the US, we are seeing long and short-term clean water crises. Flint, Michigan and Jackson, Mississippi residents continue to lack consistent access to clean, safe water.
As certified breastfeeding counselors, it is important to remain up to date with important lactation news. The World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF, etc., are important organizations to monitor.
Breastfeeding: More Critical Than Ever – It’s Safe, Accessible, and Nutritious
In a world where war, feminine, supply chain, water safety, and more threaten access to safe infant and child foods, breastfeeding is more critical than ever before.
While breastfeeding always has significant benefits, both individually and population level, there are times where access to breast milk is vital.
We are seeing crises in Ukraine, some areas in the horn of Africa, the water crises in some US cities, and more. The agency chiefs noted:
“It offers a powerful line of defense against disease and all forms of child malnutrition, including wasting. Breastfeeding also acts as a baby’s first vaccine, protecting them from common childhood illnesses.
Yet, they added, “the emotional distress, physical exhaustion, lack of space and privacy, and poor sanitation experienced by mothers in emergency settings, mean that many babies are missing out on the benefits of breastfeeding to help them survive.”
When families have the support, they need to meet personal breastfeeding goals, we see less risk with supply chain concerns. Lack of clean water is vital and a need for all. However, when there is access to breast milk, we can know that our most vulnerable are at less risk for illness and lack of safe food. While formula requires access to clean water, if a child can feed at the breast, the need is less immediate.
For families needing to migrate to safer areas during crisis, being able to travel without bottles, formula supply, etc., is easier and lower risk. When babies are on the move, there is a risk there will not be enough formula to last.
Low and Delayed Breastfeeding Initiation and Duration
Current data suggests that globally, fewer than half of newborns are breastfed within the first hour of birth. While it is not vital to breastfeed within the first hour to establish breastfeeding, it is ‘best practice’, meaning it improves breastfeeding outcomes for the most dyads.
Within the first hour of birth, the birther’s body is most receptive to the hormones released via latching. When the placenta detaches, the body is given a hormonal signal related to lactation. The newborn is also most alert in that first hour, then tends to be drowsy for the next day or so. Allowing baby to practice latching with some alertness, and with their feeding instincts, can make it easier to establish a proper latch.
A proper latch and using the advantage of the peak physiological response can help improve breastfeeding initiation and duration. While not all dyads can initiate in the first hour due to medical complications, prematurity, etc., many dyads are unnecessarily separated.
Looking at the global population, including varying regions of the US, delayed breastfeeding also increases the risk of illness and death. Breastfeeding provides protection against illness as well as aiding in the ability to fight infection. It also does not require clean bottles, access to safe water, etc.
“Protecting, promoting, and supporting breastfeeding is more important than ever, not just for protecting our planet as the ultimate natural, sustainable, first food system, but also for the survival, growth, and development of millions of infants”, said Tedros and Ms. Russell.
The WHO hopes to see the global rate of breastfeeding within the first hour to rise to 50% by 2025.
How Do We Improve Breastfeeding Rates?
Beyond simply acknowledging deficits in breastfeeding, it is important to have action points to improve rates. The WHO suggested four action points:
- Prioritizing investing in breastfeeding support policies and programmes, especially in fragile and food insecure situations.
- Equip health and nutrition workers in facilities and communities with the skills they need to provide quality counselling and practical support to mothers.
- Protect caregivers and healthcare workers from the industry by fully adopting and implementing the International Code of Marketing of Breast-Milk Substitutes, including in humanitarian settings.
- Implement family-friendly public health policies and initiatives, that provide mothers with the time, space, and support they need to breastfeed.
As Certified Breastfeeding Counselors, you can assist with many aspects of these action points. You can take part in programs and education, you can discuss important aspects of the code of marketing, and you can promote family-friendly policies in your community.
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