With a view to asserting the importance of increasing and sustaining the protection, promotion and support of breastfeeding in the post-2015 agenda for achieving development goals, the country has been observing World Breastfeeding Week 2014 since August 1.
A release issued by Institute of Public Health Nutrition (IPHN) says this year's theme, "Breastfeeding: A Winning Goal for Life", highlights the key role of breastfeeding in achieving sustainable development. The ministry of health, IPHN and Bangladesh Breastfeeding Foundation are jointly observing the week through various programmes.
Bangladesh has been observing World Breastfeeding Week since 2010 although globally it is observed since 1992. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will inaugurate the main programme on August 06.
According to World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action (WABA), exclusive breastfeeding and adequate complementary feeding are key interventions for improving child survival, potentially saving about 20 per cent of children under five. The UN's Scientific Committee on Nutrition linked breastfeeding to each of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
This year's WBW theme responds to the latest countdown of the MDGs by asserting the importance of increasing and sustaining the protection, promotion and support of breastfeeding in the post-2015 agenda, and engaging as many groups and people of various ages as possible.
BRAC Health, Nutrition and Population Programme Coordinator Dr Raisul Haque told the FE that every year World Breastfeeding Week is observed on the first week of August to carry out campaigns to ensure exclusive breastfeeding and early initiation of breastfeeding.
He appreciated the government's legislation to grant the lactating mothers six months' leave to ensure exclusive breastfeeding.
According to Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey (BDHS) 2011, exclusive breastfeeding has increased to 64 per cent from 43 per cent in 2007. These numbers indicate that we are heading forward, albeit in a slow pace, said Mr Raisul.
"As per our experience, if we can advise our mothers and show them position attachment, the rate will increase even up to 82 per cent. Early initiation of breastfeeding increases immunisation that can reduce child mortality rate," he added.
