A recent survey conducted by Beijing Horizon Research Consultancy Group for Save the Children, showed that less than one in three mothers exclusively breastfeed for six months. Only 20% correctly understood what it means - 30% thought wrongly that water can also be included.
“Exclusive breastfeeding gives children the best start in life”, says Save the Children China Programme’s Child Survival Director, Barbara Bale. ‘Unfortunately, only one mother in three seems to practice exclusive breastfeeding for six months. Breast milk, especially the colostrum or ‘first milk’, contains anti-bacterial and anti-viral properties and high levels of vitamin A that protect babies from diseases and infections.. And of course it is the best balanced nutrition for an infant and helps form a strong bond between mother and baby.”
One of the most effective ways to ensure child health and survival is to feed the baby exclusively with breast milk for the first 6 months. It is also the best source of nourishment for infants and young children. "Exclusive breastfeeding" is defined as giving no other food or drink – not even water – only breast milk. However, the reality of breastfeeding practices revealed in the survey is not encouraging.
The survey showed that in practice only 29% of respondents persisted in exclusive breastfeeding for 6 months, while 17% breastfed for only one month. In total over 50% of the respondents had stopped exclusive breastfeeding before 6 months.
So why is this? Two of the main reasons given in the survey were “short supply of breast milk" (39%), "have to work, no time to continue breastfeeding" (31%). Insufficient breast milk supply is a common assumption, leading mothers to give water and other supplements. “Shortage of supply is rarely an issue” says Barbara Bale. “Suckling itself stimulates the production of milk so feeding the baby on demand will ensure sufficient milk is produced”.
Returning to work does present significant challenges, but China’s advanced labour law ensures adequate provision for maternity leave. In addition, while a mother is still breastfeeding, she is entitled to start work half an hour later and leave half an hour earlier to make it easier. Organisations can help too. Save the Children in Beijing have set up a special area where new mums can have more comfort and privacy to express milk while at work.
Alarmingly, false beliefs also appeared in the survey. "Formula milk powder can help the baby avoid excessive 'internal heat'" (16%); "formula milk has more comprehensive nutrients than the breast milk" (14%) and "raising baby with formula milk powder is more beneficial to maternal health" (6%). “It would be disappointing if this was the result of improper marketing” said Barbara Bale. The Ministry of Health supports the International Code of Marketing of Breast Milk Substitutes which combats improper practices in the marketing of breast milk substitutes.”
According to the Global Strategy for Infant and Young Child Feeding produced by WHO and UNICEF, "lack of breastfeeding – and especially lack of exclusive breastfeeding during the first half-year of life – are important risk factors for infant and childhood morbidity and mortality that are only compounded by inappropriate complementary feeding. The life-long impact includes poor school performance, reduced productivity, and impaired intellectual and social development.”
Diarrhoea and pneumonia are the leading causes of death among infants in developing countries. Infants under 2 months old who are not breastfed are six times more likely to die from diarrhoea or acute respiratory infections than those who are breastfed. Approximately 1.3 million deaths of young children could be prevented each year across the world if exclusive breastfeeding rates increased to 90 percent.
There are benefits of breastfeeding that continue to show in adult life. Adults who were breastfed during childhood generally have lower blood pressure and lower cholesterol, as well as lower rates of overweight, obesity and type-2 diabetes. Evidence suggests that infants fed breast milk show higher IQs than children who are not fed breast milk.
And for mothers there are clear benefits, reducing risks of breast and ovarian cancer later in life and helping women return to their pre-pregnancy weight faster.
So when should babies be weaned from breast milk? WHO, the Ministry of Health and Save the Children all recommend that infants start receiving complementary foods at six months (180 days) of age while continuing to be breastfed until they are 2 years old or more. In the Save the Children survey, 60% thought breastfeeding should continue until 7-12 months, and 30% for only 4-6 months.
Breastfeeding Week is a worldwide occasion and is promoted every year in China by the Ministry of Health . Save the Children wants to play its part to help move social attitudes to better understand the benefits of breast milk for infants and mothers. This survey shows the attitudes of some mothers in cities in China. We also need to promote the ‘exclusive breastfeeding saves lives’ message among rural communities, especially for poorer families for whom this can mean the survival of their children.
Although breastfeeding is a human instinct, it is also a learned behaviour. Professional health care workers can help mothers gain confidence, improve feeding skills and prevent or address issues in breastfeeding. With correct information and support from families, communities and health care facilities, almost every new mother can breastfeed.
Everyone can play a part in Save the Children’s global child survival campaign which includes promoting exclusive breastfeeding to help babies have the best start in life. Go to our website to add your support www.savethechildren.org.cn/everyone/
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