Early initiation of breastfeeding not enough; mothers need sustained support, say experts
Experts note that while early initiation of breastfeeding has improved in India, exclusive breastfeeding rates for the first six months have declined. Data suggests that mothers require more sustained support after leaving healthcare facilities to maintain exclusive breastfeeding.
Why it matters
Breastfeeding is a critical public health intervention for infant nutrition and long-term health outcomes, making the decline in exclusive breastfeeding a significant concern.
India has seen a widening gap between initiating breastfeeding soon after childbirth and sustaining exclusive breastfeeding through the first six months, with the latest National Family Health Survey (NFHS-6) showing a decline in exclusive breastfeeding even as early initiation has improved.
The proportion of children under six months who were exclusively breastfed fell nationally from 63.7% in NFHS-5 to 55.8% in NFHS-6. In contrast, breastfeeding within one hour of birth increased from 41.8% to 50.1%. The findings suggest that the challenge increasingly lies in helping mothers continue breastfeeding after they leave healthcare facilities. The week ending Friday was observed as World Breastfeeding Week.
Karnataka presents a relatively better picture of exclusive breastfeeding. The proportion of infants under six months who were exclusively breastfed increased marginally from 61.0% to 61.6%, keeping the State above the national average. However, early initiation in the State declined slightly, from 49.1% to 48.3%.
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