Breast milk is an ideal way of providing food for the health, growth and

development of infants, and it is also an integral part of the reproductive process

with important implications for the health of mothers.

A recent review has shown that on a population basis exclusive breastfeeding for six
months is the optional way of feeding infants. Thereafter infants should receive
complementary foods with continued breastfeeding up to two years of age or
beyond. (WHO; 2000-2004; A Report card on exclusive breastfeeding).

Breast milk is the natural first food for babies, it provides all the energy and
nutrients that the infant needs for the first months of life, and it continues to
provide up to half or more of a childs nutritional needs during the second half of the
year and up to one-third during the second year of life (WHO, 2000-2004).
Breastfeeding promotes sensory and cognitive development and protects the
infants against infection and chronic disease.

Exclusive breastfeeding reduces

infants mortality due to common childhood illnesses such as diarrhoea and

pneumonia and helps for a quicker recovery during illness (Kramer M et al,2001}

Breastfeeding contributes to the health and well being of mothers, it helps to space
children, reduces the risk of ovarian cancer and breast cancer, increases family and
national resources, is a secure way of feeding and is safe for the environment
(WHO, 2000-2004: A report on Nutrition).

While breastfeeding is a natural act, it is also a learned behaviour. An extensive

study has demonstrated that mothers and other caregivers require active support
for establishing and sustaining appropriate breastfeeding practices.

WHO and

UNICEF launched the Baby friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI) in 1992, to strengthen
maternity practices to support breastfeeding based on the foundation of the ten

steps to successful Breastfeeding to protect, promote and support Breastfeeding

{WHO,2000-2004}.

Exclusive breastfeeding in the first six months of life stimulates babys immune
systems and protects them from diarrhoea and acute respiratory infection; two of
the major causes of infant mortality in the developing world and improves their
responses to Vaccination. Particularly in unhygienic conditions however breast milk
substitutes carry a high risk of infection and can be fatal in infants. Yet only slightly
more than one-third of all infants in developing countries are exclusively breastfed
for the first six months (UNICEF; May 2006, A report card on Nutrition; Number 4}.

One out of every three children is exclusively breastfed for the first six months of
life in the developing world.

The highest rates (43 percent and 41 percent) are

currently found in East Asia/Pacific and Eastern/Southern Africa respectively and the
lowest rates in West/Central Africa (20 percent) and CEE/CIS (22percent) (UNICEF,
May, 2006; A report card on Nutrition; Number 4).

Although percentages continue to be low across the developing world, various data
across the world indicate that exclusive breastfeeding rates have improved:
Between 1990 and 2004, the figure rose from 34 percent to 41 percent.

In sub-Saharan Africa, the rate over the same period doubled from 15 percent to 32
percent.

West/central

Africa made

noteworthy progress as the

exclusive

breastfeeding rate rose more than five fold. African counties that have made major
strides in exclusive breastfeeding since 1990 include Burkina-Faso, Cameroon,
Ghana, Madagascar, Mali, Nigeria, Senegal: the United Republic of Tanzania,
Zambia, and Zimbabwe (UNICEF. May 2006 A Report card on Nutrition. Number 4,).

AED and its partners faced challenges when they launched their campaign People
had said it couldnt be done Schubert, the Behaviour Change Community Cocoordinator for the LINKAGES project and the former LINKAGES resident advisor in
Ghana in her speech before the festival.

They thought we are dreaming.

Throwing away colostrums, the high nutritious first milk a mother produces was a
common practice in Ghana: And many mothers gave their infants water to drink in
addition to their breast milk. This is particularly dangerous because often the water
is contaminated with bacteria that can lead to childhood illness (AED; 2006 Linkages
celebrate five years in Ghana).
Together (AED and its Partners) proved them all wrong Schubert said, People
understood and believed our message Research has shown that exclusive
breastfeeding reduces diarrhea and pneumonia and other life threatening infection
(AED, 2006)

The food and Nutrition Research Institute Department of service and Technology
(FNRI DOST) recommends Breastfeed infants exclusively from birth to six months
and then, give appropriate foods while continuing breastfeeding (FNRI-DOST
compound Gen. Santos Avenue 2002).

The promotion protection and

support of breastfeeding is an exceptionally cost-

effective strategy for improving child survival and reducing the burden of childhood
disease particularly in developing countries (Horton et al, 1996; Morrow et al 1999,
Sikorsk et al, 2002; Arifeen et al, 2001, Blacket et al, 2003 Jones, et al, 2003).

Scientific evidence has guided the development of international recommendations

for optimal infant feeding practices which include exclusive breastfeeding for six
months, that is, milk only with no other liquids or foods given, and continued
breastfeeding up to two years of age or beyond with timely addition of appropriate

complementary foods (Butte et al, 2002; Kramer and Kakuma, 2002; WHO, 2002).
Compliance with the above recommendation has significant child health and
nutritional benefits. The Bellagio child survival study Group has identified optimal
breastfeeding in the first year of life as one of the most important strategies for
improving child survival (Black et al, 2002, Jones et al, 2003).