Babies, even those who are premature, underweight or sickly, should be exclusively breastfed, from the maternity ward and ideally for two years, the UN agencies have said.
The World Health Organisation and UNICEF have stated that Hospitals and health facilities must support mothers in breastfeeding right after delivery and not promote use of infant formula unless there is a medical reason.
Breastfeeding within one hour of birth reduces the chances of an infant acquiring an infection or being malnourished, WHO said.
Practicing it for all babies for the first two years would save the lives of more than 820,000 children each year, it said. At the same time, mothers should not be made to feel guilty if they have to abandon breastfeeding.
Dee Burke and Patricia Neary of La Leche League joined Gavin on air to talk about UNICEF and WHO’s demands.
