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Join on Telegram Rabat- The United Nations has urged countries to promote early breastfeeding and restrict the marketing of formula and other breastmilk substitutes.
A new report published on Monday by the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF on the occasion of World-Breastfeeding Week, warned of the health risks to newborns who are not breastfed within the first hour after birth.
The report notes that approximately 78 million babies worldwide are not breastfed or receive delayed breastfeeding, and face an increased risk of death since the first contact with their mothers is critical.
According to the report, early skin-to-skin contact helps infants learn to breastfeed from their mothers.
The executive director of UNICEF, Henrietta Fore, said, “Each year, millions of newborns miss out on the benefits of early breastfeeding and the reasons are things we can change. Mothers simply don’t receive enough support to breastfeed within those crucial minutes after birth, even from medical personnel at health facilities.”
Some mothers do not breastfeed their newborns immediately because of a lack of encouragement or awareness regarding the significance of the act or even because of hospital procedures.
“Mothers and babies are separated immediately after birth and support and guidance on optimal breastfeeding is limited,” the report emphasized.
The report placed Morocco among the list of countries with the largest decrease in the prevalence of early initiation of breastfeeding or “first milk.”
Despite the benefits of breastfeeding, which include strengthening the baby’s immune system and providing nutrition for healthy growth, many mothers dispose of their milk and feed their babies formula.
Between 2005 and 2017, the percentage of mothers across the world who gave their first milk to their newborns decreased.
In Morocco, only 26.8 percent of newborns were breastfed immediately after birth, according to data from 2010.
World Breastfeeding Week, which runs from August 1 to 7, seeks to raise awareness about the benefits of breastfeeding.
“Breastfeeding is one of the most effective ways to provide children everywhere with the best start to life,” asserted the WHO.
Some mothers have no other choice but to feed infant formula to their children because their milk might negatively affect the newborn’s health. For example, infectious diseases, medication, or drug abuse can impact the milk.
Other women may not breastfeed because of a low breast milk supply.
‘International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes’
The International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes aims to ensure the proper use of infant formula and to monitor inappropriate feeding practices leading to infant malnutrition, morbidity, and mortality in all countries.
The code dictates that infant formula labels “should be designed to provide the necessary information about the appropriate use of the product, and so as not to discourage breastfeeding.”
Moreover, the code urges operators in the healthcare department to encourage and protect breastfeeding.
In case the mother cannot breastfeed due to health issues, the code emphasizes:
“Feeding with infant formula, whether manufactured or home-prepared, should be demonstrated only by health workers, or other community workers if necessary; and only to the mothers or family members who need to use it; and the information given should include a clear explanation of the hazards of improper use.
