Breastfeeding is one of the most effective ways to ensure a child’s health and survival. However, contrary to WHO recommendations, fewer than half of infants under 6 months old are exclusively breastfed.
It is safe, clean and contains antibodies that help protect against many common childhood illnesses. Breastmilk provides all the nutrients the infant needs for the first months of life, and it continues to provide up to half or more of a child’s nutritional needs during the second half of the first year, and up to one-third during the second year of life.
WHO and UNICEF recommend that children start breastfeeding within the first hour of birth and be exclusively breastfed for the first 6 months of life – meaning no other foods or liquids are provided, including water.
Infants should be breastfed as often as the child wants, day and night.
From the age of 6 months, children should begin eating safe and adequate complementary foods while continuing to breastfeed for up to two years of age or beyond.