World Breastfeeding Week 2018: UNICEF warns delay in breastfeeding could result in death of 78 million infants every year

WHO and UNICEF have said that breastfeeding should commence within one hour of the child’s birth.

By: Aishwarya Iyer | | Published: August 1, 2018 10:25 am

World breastfeeding week is observed from August 1st to 7th Also Read - Breast milk or bleach can’t cure COVID-19 infection: Other false claims to stay away from

Feeding breast milk to your newborn within one hour of birth is said to be very important. UNICEF released a report recently, talking about how only 3 in 5 children are not breastfed in the first hour of their birth. According to the United Nations, 78 million infants have a greater risk of dying each year owing to delay in feeding breast milk. Also Read - Are you unable to produce enough breast milk for Baby? These 4 herbs will help

In a shocking revelation, a new report, which was jointly published by the World Health Organization as well as the UNICEF claimed that late breastfeeding could result in the increasing risk of infant death. Also Read - Is your baby ready to eat solid foods? Here are 5 best foods for your little one

“When it comes to the start of breastfeeding, timing is everything. In many countries, it can even be a matter of life or death,” said Henrietta H. Fore, UNICEF Executive Director in the report.

“Yet each year, millions of newborns miss out on the benefits of early breastfeeding and the reasons – all too often – are things we can change. Mothers simply don’t receive enough support to breastfeeding within those crucial minutes after birth, even from medical personnel at health facilities.”

This is mainly because the first milk for a newborn is a natural vaccine against fighting diseases. Colostrum is loaded with antibodies in more than what mature milk contains, it helps to build immunity in your little one and fight against a host of infections.

Various studies have said that newborns who are fed breast milk after 2 and 23 hours of birth had a 33 per cent chance of dying than those infants who are fed in the first hour of birth.While countries in Eastern and South Africa are the highest when it comes to breastfeeding within one hour of birth, the lowest rate is in countries of East Asia and Pacific.

Image Source: Shutterstock

Published : August 1, 2018 10:25 am

Read Disclaimer

3 sweet breakfast recipes that'll help you kick-start your day with a bang!

Postcoital dysphoria: Men, do you feel the blues after having sex?

About The health Site

TheHealthSite.com is India's largest health site with more than 40 lakh unique visitors per month. We focus on fitness, beauty, health, pregnancy and more.

Most popular health and wellness website in India in 2012 at the Website of the year awards.

health@corp.india.com

+91 – 22 – 6697 1234

91 – 22 – 2490 0302.

ZEE ENTERTAINMENT ENTERPRISES LTD, 18th floor, A-Wing, Marathon Futurex, N. M. Joshi Marg, Lower Parel, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400013.

We respect your privacy

3 sweet breakfast recipes that'll help you kick-start your day with a bang!

Postcoital dysphoria: Men, do you feel the blues after having sex?

Breast milk or bleach can’t cure COVID-19 infection: Other false claims to stay away from

When is the best time to massage your baby and how to do it

Are you unable to produce enough breast milk for Baby? These 4 herbs will help

Is your baby ready to eat solid foods? Here are 5 best foods for your little one

Having trouble breastfeeding? Here are 13 herbs that will help boost milk production

About The health Site

Useful Links