UN: Breast is best

2005-11-23 09:44

Geneva - Breast-feeding is saving the lives of six million babies a year, but the number could be even higher if more mothers would use the time-honoured method, the United Nations children's (Unicef) agency said on Tuesday.

"Only 39% of infants in developing countries are exclusively breast fed" said Unicef. "Lack of awareness amongst mothers, and lack of support from health workers and communities, is largely to blame."

A separate joint statement by Unicef, the World Health Organisation and other organisations said, however, that HIV-positive mothers needed counselling and advice in deciding how to breast feed their babies because of the risk that the infant could be infected.

"Most HIV-infected women do not transmit the virus to their infants," the statement said, but added, "Without any interventions in place to prevent transmission, approximately 5% to 20% of infants of HIV-infected mothers will be infected through breast feeding."

Breast-feeding rates on the increase

Studies have shown that drugs can greatly lower the infection rate.

"Each woman needs accurate and unbiased information and counselling, as well as support in selecting and putting into practice the most appropriate feeding option for her specific situation," the joint statement said.

Unicef said global breast-feeding rates rose at least 15% from 1990 and 2000 as advocacy groups campaigned for the practice.

"Exclusive breast feeding is one of the most powerful tools we have to combat child hunger and death," said Unicef executive director Ann M Veneman.

Unicef said breast milk gives a baby ideal nourishment and disease immunity.

"Babies should be exclusively breast fed from birth to six months, and then breast fed alongside age-appropriate, complementary feeding for two years and beyond," it said.

- AP