Global aspects of breastfeeding

TY - CHAP

T1 - Global aspects of breastfeeding

AU - McFadden, Alison

AU - Marshall, Joyce L.

AU - Edwards, Grace

AU - Welsh, Joanne

PY - 2021/2

Y1 - 2021/2

N2 - Exclusive breastfeeding is defined as no other food or drink, not even water, except breastmilk for 6 months of life. The evidence is now overwhelming to show that breastfeeding saves lives, particularly in babies born in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC). Early initiation of breastfeeding in the golden hour after birth is crucial. Breastfeeding immediately after birth has been shown to increase the duration of breastfeeding and protect against gastrointestinal infections and malnutrition globally. Exclusive breastfeeding has also been linked to higher IQs and subsequently higher earning potential in children and a reduced risk of breast cancer in women who have breast fed. Mixed feeding and artificial feeding leaves infants at a greater risk of morbidity and mortality from infection. If efforts were made to increase breastfeeding rates globally to reach universal levels, it would be the most effective way to ensure child health and survival and could potentially save around 820,000 infant lives per year. Presently, less than half of babies under 6 months of age are exclusively breastfed. Currently, there is wide variation in exclusive global breastfeeding rates from 3% in St Lucia to 87% in Rwanda and much work needs to be done, particularly in LMICs where the exclusive breastfeeding rate stands at 40%.

AB - Exclusive breastfeeding is defined as no other food or drink, not even water, except breastmilk for 6 months of life. The evidence is now overwhelming to show that breastfeeding saves lives, particularly in babies born in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC). Early initiation of breastfeeding in the golden hour after birth is crucial. Breastfeeding immediately after birth has been shown to increase the duration of breastfeeding and protect against gastrointestinal infections and malnutrition globally. Exclusive breastfeeding has also been linked to higher IQs and subsequently higher earning potential in children and a reduced risk of breast cancer in women who have breast fed. Mixed feeding and artificial feeding leaves infants at a greater risk of morbidity and mortality from infection. If efforts were made to increase breastfeeding rates globally to reach universal levels, it would be the most effective way to ensure child health and survival and could potentially save around 820,000 infant lives per year. Presently, less than half of babies under 6 months of age are exclusively breastfed. Currently, there is wide variation in exclusive global breastfeeding rates from 3% in St Lucia to 87% in Rwanda and much work needs to be done, particularly in LMICs where the exclusive breastfeeding rate stands at 40%.

KW - women's health

KW - breastfeeding

KW - infant and young child feeding

UR - https://www.glowm.com/article/heading/vol-15--the-puerperium--global-aspects-of-breastfeeding/id/416233#.YNHCRujdthE

U2 - 10.3843/GLOWM.416233

DO - 10.3843/GLOWM.416233

M3 - Chapter

SN - ISSN: 1756-2228

VL - 15

BT - The continuous textbook of women's medicine series: Obstetrics module

A2 - Lightly, Kate

A2 - Weeks, Andrew

PB - The Global Library of Women's Medicine

CY - Online

ER -