Breastfeeding and Child Survival

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A recent study in the United States found a 25% increase in deaths among non-breastfed infants. In a UK survey, six months of exclusive breastfeeding was associated with a 53% decrease in hospital admissions for diarrhea and a 27% decrease in respiratory tract infections.

Capture the Moment notes that newborns who breastfeed in the first hour of life are significantly more likely to survive. Even a delay of a few hours after birth could pose life-threatening consequences. Skin-to-skin contact along with suckling at the breast stimulate the mother’s production of breast milk, including colostrum, a baby’s “first vaccine”, which is extremely rich in nutrients and antibodies.

Breastfeeding in the first hour of life could prevent almost one million deaths every year. Optimal breastfeeding of infants under two years of age has the greatest potential impact on child survival of all preventive interventions, with the potential to prevent over 800,000 deaths (13 per cent of all deaths) in children under five in the developing world (Lancet 2013) .

Graphic: UNICEF

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

UNICEF and WHO recommend that:

• Breastfeeding begin within one hour of birth
• Babies receive only breast milk (no water which is often contaminated) for the first six months
• Mothers actively breastfeed their babies (i.e., feed at least 10 times a day) for the first six months, and
• Breastfeeding continue with safe, nutritious foods and drinks from 6 months until the child is at least two years old.
  

The CDC publishes a guide for public health professionals and others on how to select strategies to support breastfeeding mothers and increase breastfeeding rates.

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