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Supporting mothers to breastfeed
crucial for child survival: UNICEF |
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ADDIS
ABEBA(August 2 - 3,2008)
- The provision of increased professional and informal support for
breastfeeding mothers in order to improve children's chances of survival
is jointly called for by UNIICEF, along with World Alliance for Breast
feeding Action (WABA) and the World Health Organization (WHO).
Statement sent by UNICEF yesterday in connection with the occasion
of World Breastfeeding Week (1 to 7 August) said that despite the
progress during the last 15 years, only 38 percent of infants under
6 months of age in the developing world are breastfed.
Underscoring the importance of breastfeeding for child survival, UNICEF
Executive Director Ann M. Veneman said, "Exclusive breastfeeding
for the first six months of life can avert up to 13 per cent of under-five
deaths in developing countries."
Recent scientific studies have found that exclusive breastfeeding
for the first six months of life reduces infant mortality linked to
common childhood illnesses and under nutrition; and that breastfeeding
can reduce the number of deaths caused by acute respiratory infection
and diarrhea - two major child killers - as well as from other infectious
diseases, the statement explained.
It added that, to that end, education and support for mothers significantly
extends the number of months that mother's breastfeed, and is especially
helpful in promoting exclusive breastfeeding. Other studies have shown
that counseling and support in health facilities have led to increases
in the number of mothers who initiate breastfeeding within the first
hour of birth.
In Ethiopia, UNICEF supports the promotion of exclusive breastfeeding
up to six months end optimal complementary feeding practices through
community based approach in about 2000 villages of 65 districts. About
4000 health workers and 40,000 Volunteer Community Health Workers
are being trained on skills to support mothers for practicing optimal
breastfeeding and complementary feeding.
UNICEF is working with its partners and Governments in many countries
to ensure the provision of increased support for breastfeeding mothers,
including by health workers, counselors, mother-to-mother support
groups, employers, relief workers in emergencies, legislators, the
family end community social networks.
World Breastfeeding Week was first celebrated in 1992 and is now observed
in over 120 countries by UNICEF and its partners, including the World
Alliance for Breastfeeding Action and the World Health Organization.
The aim is to promote exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months
of life which yields tremendous health benefits, providing critical
nutrients, protection from deadly diseases such as pneumonia and fostering
growth and development. |
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