3 in 5 babies not breastfed in the first hour of life

3 in 5 babies not breastfed in the first hour of life
Image by grisguerra from Pixabay

“Breastfeeding gives children the best possible start in life. We must urgently scale up support to mothers – be it from family members, health care workers, employers and governments, so they can give their children the start they deserve.”

That’s the message from Dr. Tedos Adhanom Ghebreyosis. Director-General for WHO, the World Health Organization.

WHO & the United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF) issued a joint statement stressing the vital role breast feeding plays in the health of a newborn. Here’s what Henrietta H. Fore, UNICEF’s Executive Director, had to say:

“When it comes to the start of breastfeeding, timing is everything. In many countries, it can even be a matter of life or death. 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 breastfeed within those crucial minutes after birth, even from medical personnel at health facilities.”

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked with *

Join The GOOD FOR YOU Network!

• Send and Share Good for You Messages with the people who matter in your life

• Check out news and information that's Good for You to Know About