This is happening when 80 per cent of deliveries are taking place in health facilities, says a report. It derived these numbers from the National Health Survey The WBTi gave India a score of 45 out of on policy and programmes, rising from 44 in The report also says that the reason behind this is weak assistance to women in removing barriers they face to optimally feed their babies and this happens in almost every sector concerning infant feeding including health, women and child, HIV, National Disaster Management Authority NDMA , labour and related others. The major reason for this gap is funding. We are a voice to you; you have been a support to us. Together we build journalism that is independent, credible and fearless.
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Only For the healthy growth of a child, it is necessary that the child be breastfed and consume no other solid or liquid food until the infant completes six months. The numbers have, however, improved substantially from a Individual states were also surveyed under NHFS. Among the South Indian states, Tamil Nadu has reported the least compliance with This is as against This is followed by Kerala that reports just
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Breastfeeding is an essential part of infant and young child survival, growth and development. According to World Health Organization WHO infants should be exclusive breastfed for the first 6 months of life, followed by continued breastfeeding with appropriate complementary foods for up to 2 years and beyond. However, nearly 2 out of 3 infants are not exclusively breastfed for the recommended 6 months. Breast-milk is the natural first food for babies. Breastfeeding promotes sensory and cognitive development, and protects the infant from common childhood illnesses such as diarrhea and pneumonia, and chronic diseases later in life. Mothers who breastfeed also have a reduced risk of breast and ovarian cancers and better health and wellbeing. Breastfeeding is a secure way of feeding. Though breastfeeding is a natural act, but it is also a learned behaviour. Mothers and other caregivers require active support for establishing and sustaining appropriate breastfeeding practices.
Research shows that Native American mothers have lower rates of breastfeeding initiation, duration and exclusivity compared with other racial and ethnic groups, except for Black mothers. Photo courtesy of Indian Health Service. PHOENIX — The Whiteriver Indian Hospital in eastern Arizona is combating health disparities among Native Americans by teaching new mothers strong breastfeeding practices, which research shows improves such ailments as obesity and Type 1 diabetes in kids. Exclusive breastfeeding, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, means feeding only breast milk and no other foods or liquids — including formula or water. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends mothers exclusively breastfeed for six months and then continue to breastfeed for up to and even exceeding two years, while introducing iron-rich foods, such as pureed meats and green vegetables, for optimal health. Federal statistics show that children who are breastfed are at lower risk of obesity, Type 1 diabetes and asthma, conditions that disproportionately affect Native Americans. Direct breastfeeding in particular, as opposed to providing breast milk from a bottle, can help babies self-regulate and better avoid overeating, said Dr. Feldman-Winter said new research suggests direct breastfeeding helps regulate the microbiome, which contributes to normal metabolism, thus decreasing the risk of obesity later in life.
