1 August 2010 - World Breastfeeding Week will be celebrated across Afghanistan from 1-7 August in a major campaign led by the Ministry of Public Health with the support of UNICEF, WHO and other health sector partners.

The seven days are commemorated every year to focus attention on the important health and social benefits breastfeeding provides for babies, infants and mothers.

One-fifth of neonatal deaths could be prevented by breastfeeding within the first hour after birth. Exclusive breastfeeding, at least for the first six months, provides a child with the best possible start in life. Evidence has shown that infants 0-6 months old, who are not exclusively breastfed, have 7 times the risk of death from diarrhea and 5 times the risks of death from pneumonia, compared with exclusively breasted infants. Exclusive breastfeeding almost eliminates an infant’s exposure to unsafe food or water with a potential to prevent 1 in 8 of all under five deaths.

Breastfed children respond better to immunization, have better cognitive and mental development, while mothers who breastfeed are at lower risk of anemia, early breast cancer, ovarian cancer and weakening of the bones.

Breast milk offers an excellent source of nutrition for infants and, especially where clean water is lacking, helps keep young children safe from dangerous water-borne diseases. In countries such as Afghanistan, where access to clean water is limited, the use of baby formula instead of breast-milk exposes vulnerable children to the risk of contracting deadly diseases.

The Code of Marketing for Breast-milk Substitutes, which was endorsed by the Afghan Ministry of Justice in 2009, emphasizes the ban on milk-powder donations in emergencies and the positive impact of exclusive breast-milk feeding to protect children’s healthy growth.

While the decision to breastfeed is made by mothers themselves, health care facilities can and should have a vital role to play in promoting this lifesaving practice. This year’s World Breastfeeding Week focuses on the vital role of health facilities in promoting the ten recommended steps for good breastfeeding practice, including by ensuring that mothers have the information they need to make healthy choices for themselves and their children, and that they and their families are provided with the support they need in order to be able to act on those choices.

At present, just over a quarter of maternity facilities have been certified as Baby Friendly, and this year’s events focus on making the 10 Steps the standard practice in all facilities and to better integrate infant feeding interventions throughout national health systems.

In Afghanistan, the Ministry of Public Health is leading efforts to improve countrywide breastfeeding practices. Eight hospitals, in Kabul and the central, northern, western and southern regions have been trained to promote successful breastfeeding and support mothers through the antenatal, delivery, and postnatal phases, up to the second birthday of the child. Action at community level is also essential, to ensure that mothers get the support they need to be able to practice breastfeeding correctly.