In India, Less than 50 Percent of Women Breastfeed in First Hour of Birth

Wednesday, September 2, 2015

India ranks lowest among South Asian countries in breastfeeding practices with only 44 percent of women being able to breastfeed their babies within one hour of delivery. According to a report released today, ineffective policies, lack of budgets and coordination, and absence of better monitoring are limiting breastfeeding practices in India.

Prepared by the Breastfeeding Promotion Network of India (BPNI) and the Public Health Resource Network (PHRN), the assessment report on the government's policies and programmes on Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF) states that India made "slow progress" in enhancing breastfeeding practices in the past 11 years.

The organisations also submitted recommendations to the government for promotion of  breastfeeding including an effective mechanism for strict implementations of regulations controlling baby foods. The recommendations also included a national policy on IYCF, revival of baby-friendly hospitals and maternity protection and policies with a provision of nine months of maternity leave.

Source: Food NDTV (link opens in a new window)

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Health Care
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public health