World Breast Feeding Week is being observed worldwide from 1st to 7th August every year to commemorate the ‘Innocenti Declaration’ made by WHO and UNICEF policy makers in August 1990 to protect, promote and support breastfeeding.
Our cover story this week is on Breast Feeding. Based on scientific research finding on the centuries old practice of breastfeeding – the WHO recommends that infants start breastfeeding within one hour of life, are exclusively breastfed for six months, with timely introduction of adequate, safe and properly fed complementary foods while continuing breastfeeding for upto two years of age or beyond.
Babies who are breastfed have fewer illnesses and are better nourished than those who are fed other drinks and foods. If all babies were fed only breast milk for the first six months of life, the lives of an estimated 1.5 million infants would be saved every year and the health and development of millions of others would be greatly improved.
Almost every mother can breastfed successfully. Those who might lack the confidence to breastfeed need the encouragement and practical support of the baby’s father and their family, friends and relatives.  Using breastmilk substitutes, such as infant formula or animal’s milk, can be a threat to infants health. Bottle-feeding can lead to illness and death. If a mother cannot breastfeed her infant, the baby should be fed breastmilk or a breastmilk substitute from an ordinary clean cup.
It may be mentioned that breastmilk alone is the only food and drink an infant needs for the first six months. No other foods or drink, not even water, is usually needed during this period.