Three in five newborns are not breastfed within one hour of birth (study)

Dakar, July 31 (APS) – A total of 78 million newborns, three out of five, are not breastfed within one hour of birth, increasing the risk of death and illness, while reducing the likelihood of being breastfed thereafter, said the WHO in a statement released Tuesday.

'' An estimated 78 million newborns (three out of five) are not breastfed within one hour of birth, increasing their risk of death and illness and reducing their likelihood of being breastfed later, 'reads the statement.

Most of these children in low- and middle-income countries, reports the document summarizing a new report on the subject, the World Health Organization and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF).

born who are breastfed in the first hour of life, have much p more likely to survive. A delay of only a few hours after birth can have fatal consequences, while skin-to-skin contact and suckling stimulate milk production in the mother, including colostrum, the substance considered as the first + new vaccine. Due to its high nutrient and antibody content, the source points out.

"Previous studies, cited in the report, indicate that newborns who are breastfed from two to 23 hours after birth are mortality is 33% higher than those breastfed within one hour of birth, 'notes the study' Seizing the moment '.

According to the authors, this risk is at least twice as high for newborns for whom breastfeeding begins one day or more after birth. They urge governments, donors and other policy makers to adopt "strict legal measures to restrict the marketing of infant formula and other breast-milk substitutes".

"Breastfeeding gives children the best possible start in life. We urgently need to strengthen the support given to mothers so that they can give their children the start in the life they deserve, "commented Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director General of the WHO, in his remarks. reported by the communiqué.