UNICEF, WHO jointly urge equal access to breastfeeding support to curb diseases
LINEO MABEKEBEKE
MASERU – In a heartfelt appeal, UNICEF and the World Health Organisation (WHO) are advocating for equal access to breastfeeding support, underscoring its critical role in reducing childhood illnesses and lowering the risk of certain cancers and non-communicable diseases in mothers.
Breastfeeding, often called nursing or chest-feeding, is celebrated not just as a natural process but as one of the most effective ways to ensure a child’s health and survival.
In a joint statement marking the World Breastfeeding Week, celebrated from August 1 to 7, the two United Nations (UN) agencies highlighted the vital importance of breastmilk during a child’s early development.
They noted the antibodies in breastmilk protect babies against illness and death, adding that this protection is especially crucial during emergencies when breastfeeding becomes a lifeline, providing a safe, nutritious, and reliable food source for infants and young children.
Over the past 12 years, the global rate of infants under six months old who are exclusively breastfed has risen by more than 10 percent. Now, 48 percent of infants worldwide receive this healthy start, a significant stride towards WHO’s target of achieving a 50 percent breastfeeding rate by 2025.
“This translates to hundreds of thousands of lives saved,” the statement continued, pointing out that when mothers are supported in breastfeeding, the benefits trickle down to everyone, with the potential to save over 820,000 children’s lives each year. Despite this progress, UNICEF and WHO acknowledge persistent challenges that threaten to stall this momentum.
The theme for this year’s Breastfeeding Week, ‘Closing the Gap: Breastfeeding Support for All,’ calls for a renewed focus on improving breastfeeding support as a key strategy in reducing health inequities and safeguarding the rights of mothers and babies to not just survive but thrive.
“Breastfeeding support must be universal,” the statement urges, highlighting the role of families, communities, healthcare workers, policymakers, and other decision-makers.
Their collective efforts are crucial in increasing investments in programmes and policies that protect and support breastfeeding, such as allocating a dedicated national budget, implementing family-friendly workplace policies like paid maternity leave and breastfeeding breaks, and ensuring access to affordable, quality childcare.
Liepollo Khobatha, a private nursing sister, echoed these sentiments in an interview, emphasising the myriad benefits of breastfeeding for both mother and child.
“Breastfeeding is not just a natural process; it is the ideal source of nutrition, offering the perfect balance of proteins, fats, carbohydrates, and essential vitamins and minerals crucial for a baby’s growth and development,” she explained.
For mothers, breastfeeding aids in uterine contraction, reduces postpartum bleeding, and helps the uterus return to its pre-pregnancy size. Additionally, the close physical contact during breastfeeding fosters a deep bond between mother and baby, cultivating emotional security and attachment.
World Breastfeeding Week, an annual global healthcare event, not only raises awareness about the advantages of breastfeeding but also aims to combat poverty and food insecurity by enhancing knowledge about its benefits for both mother and child.
However, this global effort is increasingly under threat, as the aggressive marketing of breastmilk substitutes risks undermining the hard-won gains in promoting exclusive breastfeeding.
In a world where health inequalities persist, UNICEF and WHO’s call to action serves as a reminder that breastfeeding support is not just a health issue but a matter of human rights, deserving attention and commitment from all sectors of society.
