As Certified Breastfeeding Counselors (CBC), it is important we stay up to date with evidenced-based information. The World Health Organization breastfeeding recommendations are a great source of information.
The World Health Organization provides population level information, statistics, and recommendations. Their recommendations are meant to provide evidenced-based information about what works for most of a population.
Their recommendations and guidelines are meant to aid professionals in providing evidenced-based care. Using the recommendations, providers can then provide individualized care within those guidelines.
What is The World Health Organization?
“Founded in 1948, WHO is the United Nations agency that connects nations, partners and people to promote health, keep the world safe and serve the vulnerable – so everyone, everywhere can attain the highest level of health.”
The World Health Organization is a global organization designed to help support overall health on a population level.
“WHO leads global efforts to expand universal health coverage. We direct and coordinate the world’s response to health emergencies. And we promote healthier lives – from pregnancy care through old age.”
Evidence strongly supports breastfeeding as being beneficial to both mother and child. This means breastfeeding is a public health concern. For that reason, WHO researches and supports lactation to help healthcare providers and policymakers work to improve breastfeeding rates.
The World Health Organization Breastfeeding Recommendations
As a global public health organization, the WHO has breastfeeding recommendations related directly to feeding. It also has recommendations around policies, including formula marketing.
Their current recommendations include:
“Optimal breastfeeding is so critical that it could save the lives of over 820 000 children under the age of 5 years each year.
WHO and UNICEF recommend:
- early initiation of breastfeeding within 1 hour of birth;
- exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months of life; and
- introduction of nutritionally adequate and safe complementary (solid) foods at 6 months together with continued breastfeeding up to 2 years of age or beyond.
However, many infants and children do not receive optimal feeding. For example, only about 44% of infants aged 0–6 months worldwide were exclusively breastfed over the period of 2015-2020.”
For years, the American Academy of Pediatrics only recommended breastfeeding until one year and continuing for however long after both parties desire. However, they have since followed the WHO recommendations to encourage breastfeeding until two years of age. With the CDC saying:
“The American Academy of Pediatrics and the World Health Organization also recommend exclusive breastfeeding for about the first 6 months with continued breastfeeding along with appropriate complementary foods for up to 2 years of age or older.”
At the basis of their recommendations is early and frequent breastfeeding which is key to increasing breastfeeding initiation and duration.
WHO Code of Marketing of Breast-Milk Substitutes
The WHO and UNICEF both found aggressive formula marketing, as well as myths, lead to reduced breastfeeding initiation and duration. In fact, a recent study found over 50% of pregnant and new parents are exposed to aggressive marketing.
In some countries, it can be quite frequent. For example, 97% of the parents surveyed in China had been exposed to aggressive formula marketing. Yet in many countries, upwards of 98% of parents express and interest in exclusive breastfeeding.
To combat the over $55 billion dollar formula industry’s marketing, the WHO and UNICEF developed the code.
This code is designed to reduce the amount of aggressive marketing parents are exposed to. It is also designed to reduce misinformation and predatory tactics shared to healthcare professionals and parents.
Unfortunately, not all countries, accept and enforce the code. Unfortunately, the US does not accept or enforce the code. While the CDC, AAP, and more acknowledge the importance of breastfeeding, the US is not WHO Code compliant.
You can learn more about the code here.
World Health Organization Breastfeeding Resources
As a CBC, you are not a clinical medical provider. However, you have a vital role in overall perinatal support. It is important your clients have access to evidenced-based support.
Your CBC training provides you with a lot of information. Yet, it is important to always be a continuing learner. Keeping up with changes in recommendations and learning about current guidelines is an important part of your role in remaining a professional.
You can learn more about WHO recommendations here.