Publications

Breastfeeding is a well-established, evidence-based practice for neonatal and child survival. The Lancet (2016) has described how breastfeeding alone can save the lives of over 8,00,000 babies each year. However, recent National Family Health Survey-4 (NFHS, 2015-16) data in India reveals that only 41.6% of babies are put to the breast within an hour of birth and only 54.9% are exclusively breastfed. Renewal in efforts to promote, protect and preserve breastfeeding needs to begin with an in-depth understanding of breastfeeding,on the part of health care providers. This article therefore presents the scientific evidence and rationale behind breastfeeding guidelines like early initiation, no pre-lacteal feeds, exclusive breastfeeding, emptying the breast, feeding at night and continuing breastfeeds till two years of age.