Investing in breastfeeding promotion is likely to lead not only to improved physical health but also to improved intellectual and psycho-emotional outcomes for children. Clinical services and public-health policies that promote exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life are likely to yield important benefits for early child development.
For breastfeeding practices to improve, there needs to be support at every level: supportive frameworks should exist within public policy, law, the health-care system, communities, families and friends.
At the highest level, we should develop a national policy that follows the WHO Code of Marketing (International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes), which prohibits the marketing of breast milk substitutes on television, radio, or in print materials, as well as the distribution of free formula samples. There is also a need to fund further research on the impact of breastfeeding on psychosocial child development.
The legal system also has a role to play by supporting the WHO Code and through labour laws that promote working conditions consistent with six months of exclusive breastfeeding (such as longer periods of paid leave, as well as child care and breast milk facilities at work).
Health-care facilities are in a unique position to teach new mothers good breastfeeding techniques. To help mothers initiate and maintain breastfeeding, health facilities where birthing takes place should adopt WHO and UNICEF’s “Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding” as part of the International Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative. In addition, well-trained, experienced peer-counsellors could carry mothers through the perceived problems of the first few weeks.
Breastfeeding promotions, both within the health-care sector and in the community as a whole, are also important. The most effective ones are comprehensive, combining prenatal group discussions with postnatal home visits.
At the broadest level, women need the social support of friends and family; we need to progress to a point where breastfeeding is accepted as a social norm and a part of life.
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