Because of this, they do not get the essential nutrients, antibodies and skin-to-skin contact with their mother to protect them from disease and death, the United Nations Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) said. Also, breast milk contains proteins which can be easily digested and absorbed by the baby’s body.
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In South Asia, rates of early breastfeeding tripled from 2000 but 21 million newborns a year are not breastfed in the first hour, UNICEF said. It warns delaying breastfeeding by 24 or more hours after birth increases that risk to 80 percent.
“Making babies wait too long for the first critical contact with their mother outside the womb decreases the newborn’s chances of survival, limits milk supply and reduces the chances of exclusive breastfeeding”.
Forbes reported two major hindrances to increasing breastfeeding initiation rates across the globe.
The longer breastfeeding is delayed, the higher the risk of death in the first month of life.
The UNICEF report, called From the first hour of life, said that there is “enormous potential for skilled birth attendants to better support women in initiating breastfeeding immediately after birth – to not take advantage of this is a missed opportunity”.
According to the report from UNICEF, about 77 million newborns, or 1 in 2 babies born, in the world were not breastfed within an hour after their birth.
Efforts to promote early breastfeeding have been slow, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, where mortality rates for children under age 5 are high, UNICEF said.
In countries like the Middle East, South Asia and North Africa, women who give birth with a medical professional present was found to less likely start breastfeeding in the first hour, compared to those who had non-professional relatives or friends present.
Preterm infants fed breast milk within the first 28 days of life have better brain development and neurocognitive outcomes, finds a new study.
“These mothers are sharing their stories on what led them to bottle feed and their feelings about it. There is so much judgement towards bottle feeding mothers and I want to help fight against it. No mother should be looked down on and we should lift each other up, rather than put others down for their choices.”
In some countries UNICEF said it is customary to feed a baby infant formula, cow’s milk or sugar water in its first three days.
“It’s also important to note that there are so many factors that influence a baby’s development, with breast milk being just one“, she adds. Those infants who are not breastfed at all are reportedly 14 times more likely to die early than those who were fed with breastmilk only.
From 1-7 August, World Breastfeeding Week will be celebrated in mainland Tanzania, along with the national Farmers” Day known as “Nane Nane’.
Despite this, many mothers around the world fail to appreciate the benefits of breastfeeding to the health and well-being of their babies.
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But any amount of breastmilk reduces a child’s risk of death.
