Promoting Breast Feeding.

Up to 55 percent of infant deaths from diarrheal disease and acute respiratory infections may result from inappropriate feeding practices. Evidence shows that early initiation of breast feeding can prevent 22% of all deaths among babies below one month of age in developing countries. Increasing optimal breastfeeding practices could save an estimated 1.5 million lives annually in children under five.

A review of 21 studies from 8 countries shows that the promotion of breast feeding can reduce the incidence of diarrhea by 8-20% and diarrheal mortality by 24-27% in the first six months of life.

Reduced breastfeeding rates in developing nations mean that fewer children receive the protective and nutritional benefits of breast milk. Nursing allows for the delivery of milk high in fats, proteins, and calories in a sterile fashion. When mothers wean their children too early, nutritious breast milk is replaced with cereals and gruels that are often low in calories and proteins and are made with contaminated water. Commercial formulas are also often diluted with contaminated water and put in bottles that are not sterile.

During the first 6 months of life, infants should be exclusively breastfed. This means that the healthy baby should receive breastmilk and no other fluids, such as water, teas, juice, cereal drinks, animal milk or formula. Optimal breastfeeding practices include:

• Initiation of Breastfeeding within the first hour of life.
• Babies should be exclusively breastfed for the first 4 – 6 months of life.
• Breast feeding should continue for the first 2 years of age.
• Don’t use infant bottles which are difficult to clean and a source of contamination.
• Water used for making formula may be contaminated.
• Storing formula at room temperature can lead to contaminated formula.

Advantages and Benefits of Breastfeeding

1. Saves Lives. Currently there are 9 million infant deaths a year. Breastfeeding saves an estimated 6 million additional deaths from infectious disease alone.
2. Provides Initial Immunization. Breastmilk, especially the first milk (colostrum), contains anti-bacterial and anti-viral agents that protect the infant against disease, especially diarrhea. Breastmilk also aids the development of the infant's own immune system.
3. Prevents Diarrhea. Diarrhea is the leading cause of death among infants in developing countries. Infants under two months of age who are not breastfed are 25 times as likely to die of diarrhea than infants exclusively breastfed. Continued breastfeeding during diarrhea reduces dehydration, severity, duration, and negative nutritional consequences of diarrhea.
4. Provides Complete and Perfect Nutrition. Breastmilk is a perfect food that cannot be duplicated. It is more easily digested than any substitute. It provides all the nutrients and water needed by a healthy infant during the first 6 months of life.
5. Maximizes a Child's Physical and Intellectual Potential. Malnutrition among infants up to six months of age can be virtually eradicated by the practice of exclusive breastfeeding. For young children beyond six months, breastmilk serves as the nutritional foundation to promote continued healthful growth.
6. Promotes the Recovery of the Sick Child. Breastfeeding provides a nutritious, easily digestible food when a sick child loses appetite for other foods. When a child is ill or has diarrhea, breastfeeding helps prevent dehydration.
7. Bonds Mother and Child. Breastfeeding immediately after delivery encourages the "bonding" of the mother to her infant, which has important emotional benefits for both and helps to secure the child's place within the family.
8. Helps Birth Spacing. In developing countries, exclusive breastfeeding reduces total potential fertility as much as all other modern contraceptive methods combined. Mothers who breastfeed usually have a longer period of infertility after giving birth than do mothers who do not breastfeed.
9. Benefits Maternal Health. Breastfeeding reduces the mother's risk of fatal postpartum hemorrhage. By spacing births, breastfeeding allows the mother to recuperate before she conceives again.
10. Saves Money. Breastfeeding is among the most cost-effective of child survival interventions. Households save money: There are none of the expenses associated with breastmilk substitutes the costs of fuel, utensils, and special formulas).
11. Breastfeeding is Clean. It does not require the use of bottles, nipples, water and formula which are easily contaminated with bacteria that can cause diarrhea.

Adapted from: The Rehydration Project. http://rehydrate.org/breastfeed/index.html

Role of breast-feeding in the prevention and treatment of diarrhoea. Huffman SL, Combest C. Center to prevent Childhood Malnutrition, Bethesda, MD.

Interventions for the control of diarrhoeal diseases among young children: promotion of breast feeding. Feachem RG, Koblinsky, MA.