Slightly over 89% of the children under three months and slightly over 81% of the children under half a year were breaded last year. Among children aged one year, this figure stood at over 69% of the total number of children. The official statistics do not cover exclusive breastfeeding as such information can be obtained only by population studies, the National Public Health Agency said in connection with World Breastfeeding Week that is marked on August 1-7, IPN reports.
The theme of World Breastfeeding Week 2020 is “Support breastfeeding for a healthier planet”, which focuses on the impact of infant feeding on the environment/climate change and the imperative to protect, promote and support breastfeeding for the health of the planet and its people.
According to the National Public Health Agency, the crisis associated with COVID-19 revealed the necessity and importance of offering continuous support for breastfeeding as important health protection intervention that saves lives and protects the population from infections and diseases.
The Convention on the Rights of the Child says every infant and child has the right to good nutrition. Breastfeeding provides every child with the best possible start in life. It delivers health, nutritional and emotional benefits to both children and mothers. And it forms part of a sustainable food system.
WHO and UNICEF recommend that children initiate breastfeeding within the first hour of birth and be exclusively breastfed for the first 6 months of life – meaning no other foods or liquids are provided, including water. Infants should be breastfed on demand – that is as often as the child wants, day and night.
