What are the World Health Organization recommendations for breastfeeding?

WHO Recommendations for Breastfeeding
The World Health Organization (WHO) has established comprehensive guidelines aimed at promoting and supporting breastfeeding as a fundamental aspect of child health and development. These recommendations are grounded in extensive research highlighting the numerous benefits of breastfeeding for both infants and mothers.
Exclusive Breastfeeding for the First Six Months
The cornerstone of WHO’s breastfeeding recommendations is the advocacy for exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life. This means that infants should receive only breast milk, with no additional food or drink, not even water. This practice is crucial as breast milk provides all the essential nutrients that infants need during this critical period for healthy growth and development.
The WHO emphasizes that virtually all mothers can successfully breastfeed, provided they have access to accurate information and robust support from their families, healthcare systems, and society at large. The organization aims to increase the global rate of exclusive breastfeeding to at least 50% by 2025, as part of its broader public health goals.
Continued Breastfeeding with Complementary Foods
Following the initial six months, the WHO recommends that breastfeeding should continue alongside the introduction of nutritionally adequate and safe complementary foods. This practice should ideally extend up to two years or beyond, as continued breastfeeding offers ongoing health benefits for both the child and the mother.
Health Benefits of Breastfeeding
The health advantages of breastfeeding are profound. For infants, breastfeeding significantly reduces the risk of infections, such as diarrhea and pneumonia, and is associated with lower rates of chronic diseases later in life. Studies suggest that breastfed children may also experience cognitive benefits, with potential increases in IQ and educational attainment.
For mothers, breastfeeding can aid in postpartum recovery and reduce the risk of certain health issues, including breast and ovarian cancers. The WHO highlights that breastfeeding could prevent approximately 13% of deaths among children under five years old, underscoring its critical role in child survival.
Supportive Practices in Healthcare Settings
To facilitate successful breastfeeding, the WHO has outlined specific practices that healthcare facilities should adopt. These include rooming-in, where mothers and infants stay together, and responsive feeding, which encourages mothers to recognize and respond to their baby’s hunger cues. The organization also advises limiting the use of breastmilk substitutes and educating parents about the appropriate use of bottles and pacifiers.
In summary, the WHO’s recommendations for breastfeeding are not just guidelines; they are a call to action for families, healthcare providers, and policymakers to create an environment that supports breastfeeding as a vital component of child health and maternal well-being. By adhering to these recommendations, societies can significantly improve health outcomes for future generations.

What is the 5 5 5 rule breastfeeding?

The Centers for Disease Control recently updated their recommendations on breast milk storage. Previously, many people followed the 5-5-5 rule: storing breast milk for five hours at room temperature, five days in the refrigerator, and five months in the freezer.

What are the health promotion recommendations for breastfeeding?

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends exclusive breastfeeding for approximately 6 months after birth. Furthermore, the AAP supports continued breastfeeding, along with appropriate complementary foods introduced at about 6 months, as long as mutually desired by mother and child for 2 years or beyond.

What are the FDA recommendations for breastfeeding?

Guidelines and recommendations
Exclusive breastfeeding for about the first six months is recommended. The Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommends continued breastfeeding while introducing appropriate complementary foods until children are 12 months old or older.

What is the World health recommendation for breastfeeding?

WHO and UNICEF recommend that children initiate breastfeeding within the first hour of birth and be exclusively breastfed for the first 6 months of life – meaning no other foods or liquids are provided, including water. Infants should be breastfed on demand – that is as often as the child wants, day and night.

What are the three strategies from the World Health Organization for breastfeeding?

The World Health Organization recommends that:

• Breastfeeding be initiated within one hour of birth;
• Infants feed on nothing but breast milk for the first six months of life;
• Infants continue breastfeeding until at least the age of two; and.

What are the current national recommendations for breastfeeding?

How long should infants be breastfed? Exclusive breastfeeding for about the first six months is recommended. The Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommends continued breastfeeding while introducing appropriate complementary foods until children are 12 months or older.

What does the World health Organisation say about breastfeeding?

Breastfeeding is one of the most effective ways to ensure child health and survival. However, contrary to WHO recommendations, fewer than half of infants under 6 months old are exclusively breastfed. Breastmilk is the ideal food for infants.

What are the 3 P’s of breastfeeding?

There may be blood, sweat and tears in the first few weeks of nursing your baby and you’ll need to employ the 3 “P’s” of breastfeeding—practice, patience, and persistence. Historically, parents learned about breastfeeding through observation. Many grew up around others nursing their babies at the breast.

What are the current recommendations for optimal breastfeeding?

The American Academy of Pediatrics and the World Health Organization also recommend exclusive breastfeeding for about the first 6 months, with continued breastfeeding along with introducing appropriate complementary foods for up to 2 years of age or longer.

What does the WHO recommend for breastfeeding?

WHO and UNICEF recommend that children initiate breastfeeding within the first hour of birth and be exclusively breastfed for the first 6 months of life – meaning no other foods or liquids are provided, including water. Infants should be breastfed on demand – that is as often as the child wants, day and night.