Multi-Sectoral Nutrition Resource Review
Demographic and Health Survey data collected in 31 countries since 2015 show that women who deliver by cesarean section initiate breastfeeding later compared to those who give birth vaginally. Immediate skin-to-skin contact and higher parity were also significantly associated with shorter time to initiating breastfeeding.
Multi-Sectoral Nutrition Resource Review
The World Health Organization recommends that mothers with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 be encouraged to practice skin-to-skin contact and initiate or continue breastfeeding while practicing infection prevention and control measures. Current data suggest that the health benefits of breastfeeding outweigh the risks of potential infant or child COVID-19 infection. Current data are insufficient to conclude vertical transmission of COVID-19 through breastfeeding.
Multi-Sectoral Nutrition Resource Review
In addition to answering common questions about COVID-19 transmission through breast milk and the risks of choosing not to breastfeed, a decision tree helps health care workers understand current guidelines and precautionary steps to support breastfeeding mothers with a suspected or confirmed COVID-19 diagnosis. The document is available in Arabic, English, French, Portuguese, Russian, and Spanish.
Multi-Sectoral Nutrition Resource Review
Authors discuss common tactics that companies use to encourage health care workers to over-promote breast milk substitutes and clarify health care workers’ role and responsibilities to protect, promote, and support breastfeeding.
Multi-Sectoral Nutrition Resource Review
While almost all surveyed health facilities in Haiti and Malawi reported that they routinely provided breastfeeding counseling, fewer than 30% of providers reported having recently attended relevant training, and only 4% of patients were observed to have received counseling as part of antenatal care. Training providers on breastfeeding counseling was positively associated with early initiation of breastfeeding.
Multi-Sectoral Nutrition Resource Review
This evidence-informed initiative provides countries with a practical toolbox to assess and scale breastfeeding policies and programs. Work in Samoa yielded important policy recommendations, including the development and implementation of a National Breastfeeding Policy and Strategic Action Plan, identification of high-level advocates to serve as champions, and the creation of a national budget line for breastfeeding activities.
Multi-Sectoral Nutrition Resource Review
This tool aggregates data to estimate the human and economic costs of not breastfeeding. Data attributed to not breastfeeding include childhood deaths from diarrhea and pneumonia, childhood obesity, maternal breast and ovarian cancers, and type 2 diabetes. Researchers conservatively estimate total global economic losses to be US $341.3 billion (0.70% of global gross national income) per year due to cognitive losses, health system treatment costs, and future lost earnings.
Multi-Sectoral Nutrition Resource Review
This report highlights progress to promote and protect breastfeeding and curb harmful marketing practices by manufacturers and distributors of breastmilk substitutes, which often are donated or offered in emergency settings. It provides recommendations for legislators and policy-makers to fulfill legal and human rights obligations, analyze and address weaknesses or gaps in their existing legislation, and act accordingly. The full report is available in English while the summary is available in Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, and Spanish.
Multi-Sectoral Nutrition Resource Review
Findings from this study suggest that increases in conflict-related casualties reduce the probability of a child ever beginning and continuing breastfeeding, and that infant formula provided to offer temporary relief impact these trends. Adequate health care and breastfeeding support systems for women are critical in conflict zones.
Multi-Sectoral Nutrition Resource Review
Researchers found a significant relationship between household food insecurity and decreased breast milk intake among HIV-uninfected infants in this cohort. They recommend screening for and integrating programs that reduce food insecurity to increase quantities of breast milk ingested.