United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) said the rate of exclusive breastfeeding in Bangladesh is still as low as 43 percent, said a press release reached here on Saturday.
UNICEF has been supporting the Bangladeshi government to improve breastfeeding in the country, UNICEF said while observing the World Breastfeeding Week (from Aug. 1 to Aug. 7).
"Exclusive breastfeeding is a challenge for many mothers throughout the world including Bangladesh. Every mother faces different challenges to breastfeeding. So, individual concerns need individual solutions with the support of family, community members, government, employers and health professionals," Carel deRooy, UNICEF Bangladesh representative, was quoted by the release.
The release said early initiation of breastfeeding (within the first hour of delivery) is only 24 percent in Bangladesh.
"If all newborns in this country were to be breastfed within one hour of birth, then about 37,000 neonatal deaths could be averted annually," the release said.
Breastfeeding can reduce the number of deaths caused by acute respiratory infection and diarrhea -- two major child killers -- as well as from other infectious diseases. It also contributes to the health of mothers, and creates a bond between the mother and child, the release said.
Source: Xinhua
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