Breastfeeding can save up to 820,000 infant lives a year

Also recommends capacity building of health care providers and community workers

ISLAMABAD: Medical experts on Tuesday highlighted the need for the promotion and protection of breastfeeding practice in the country to protect the health of mother and child.

The perfectly adapted nutritional supply, breast milk is the ultimate personalised medicine which may save about 820,000 infant lives a year, 87 percent of them infants under six months of age. In order to highlight the health benefits of breastfeeding, they suggested that the federal and provincial govts enforce legislation on breast milk substitutes, provide a supportive environment for maternity protection for women in employment, ensuring breastfeeding is initiated in maternity facilities and no infant formula is routinely used.



They also recommended capacity building of health care providers and community workers to offer counseling on infant feeding and mother-to-mother support groups in the community.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 6^th, 2018.