WUNRN
China - Exclusive Breastfeeding Low - Benefits Clear -
Supports for Mothers Can Increase
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The latest data from the National
Health and Family Planning Commission (NHFPC) shows that the rate of exclusive
breastfeeding (that is, feeding a child exclusively on its mother's milk)
until the age of 6 months in China's rural areas is only 30 percent, while
the rate in China's urban areas is less than 16 percent. [womenimages.cn] |
May 21, 2014 - Editor:
The latest data from the
National Health and Family Planning Commission (NHFPC) shows that the rate of
exclusive breastfeeding (that is, feeding a child exclusively on its mother's
milk) until the age of 6 months in China's rural areas is only 30 percent,
while the rate in China's urban areas is less than 16 percent.
The data shows that the
rate of exclusive breastfeeding in
The World Health
Organization describes breastfeeding as "one of the most effective
ways" to ensure child health and survival and recommends exclusive
breastfeeding up to the age of 6 months.
Director of the Maternal and Child Health Services Department with the NHFPC Zhang Shikun has stressed the importance of breastfeeding for a long time, saying that breastfeeding offers various health benefits to both mother and child, including increased intelligence, decreased likelihood of contracting middle ear infections, cold and flu resistance, a tiny decrease in the risk of childhood leukemia, lower risk of childhood onset diabetes, decreased risk of asthma and eczema, decreased dental problems, decreased risk of obesity later in life, and a decreased risk of developing psychological disorders.
According to breastfeeding
mothers and medical experts, various factors have led to the declining rate of
breastfeeding, among which the absence of a wide support system is a major
factor. More new mothers are becoming aware of the benefits of breastfeeding,
but society is still blind to their needs.
The highest hurdle is the
average length of maternity leave, which is usually 98 days, according to
To be able to breastfeed on
the move is another difficulty nursing mothers face, and there is noticeable
lack of facilities such as nursing rooms and baby stations in public places.
Zhang Shikun said that
raising the rate of breastfeeding to at least 50 percent and even 60 percent
was listed in the National Program for Children's Development, and that the
government will further enhance breastfeeding through legislation. Zhang
suggested that advertisements for breast milk substitutes should be banned, the
rate of cesarean section should be decreased and the length of maternity leave
should be prolonged.