PANAPRESS
Panafrican News Agency
World Breastfeeding Week: Only 1 in 5 countries fully implement WHO's infant formula code
Geneva, Switzerland (PANA) - Only 37 countries, or 19% of those reporting, have passed laws reflecting all the recommendations of the International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes, according to a new World Health Organization (WHO) report published ahead of the 2013 World Breastfeeding Week, to be marked in 170 countries 1-7 Aug.
Breastfeeding is the best source of nourishment for infants and young children and one of the most effective ways to ensure child health and survival.
People who were breastfed as babies are less likely to be overweight or obese later in life. They may also be less prone to diabetes and perform better in intelligence tests; but globally only an estimated 38% of infants are exclusively breastfed for six months.
“Nearly all mothers are physically able to breastfeed and will do so if they have accurate information and support,” said Dr Carmen Casanovas, breastfeeding expert with WHO’s Department of Nutrition for Health and Development. “But in many cases, women are discouraged from doing so, and are misled to believe that they are giving their children a better start in life by buying commercial substitutes.”
According to the WHO, only 37 of the 199 countries (19%) reporting to WHO on implementation of the Code have passed laws reflecting all of its recommendations.
The report shows that 69 countries (35%) fully prohibit advertising of breast-milk substitutes; 62 (31%) completely prohibit free samples or low-cost supplies for health services; 64 (32%) completely prohibit gifts of any kind from relevant manufacturers to health workers; 83 (42%) require a message about the superiority of breastfeeding on breast-milk substitute labels; and
only 45 countries (23%) report having a functioning implementation and monitoring system.
Concerned that breast-milk substitutes were being marketed to mothers too aggressively, the 27th World Health Assembly in 1974 urged member states to review sales promotion activities on baby foods and to introduce appropriate remedial measures, including advertisement codes and legislation where necessary.
This led, in 1981, to agreement on the International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes, and the adoption of several subsequent resolutions on the matter.
“Full implementation of the Code is vital for reducing or eliminating all forms of promotion of breast-milk substitutes, including direct and indirect promotion to pregnant women and mothers of infants and young children,” said Dr Casanovas.
In World Breastfeeding Week 2013, WHO and partners are calling for more support for breastfeeding mothers. Breastfeeding has to be learned and many women encounter difficulties at the beginning. Nipple pain and fear that there is not enough milk to sustain the baby are common.
Health facilities that support breastfeeding - by making trained breastfeeding counsellors available to new mothers - encourage higher rates of the practice.
To provide this support and improve care for mothers and newborns, there are "baby-friendly" facilities in more than 150 countries, thanks to the WHO-UNICEF Baby-Friendly Hospital initiative.
WHO said breast milk gives infants all the nutrients they need for healthy development. It is safe and contains antibodies that help protect infants from common childhood illnesses such as diarrhoea and pneumonia, the two primary causes of child mortality worldwide.
Infant formula does not contain the antibodies found in breast milk, additionally there are risks arising from the use of unsafe water and unsterilised equipment or the potential presence of bacteria or other contaminants in powdered formula.
Breastfeeding also benefits mothers. Exclusive breastfeeding is associated with a natural (though not fail-safe) method of birth control (98% protection in the first six months after birth). It reduces risks of breast and ovarian cancer later in life and helps women return to their pre-pregnancy weight faster.
-0- PANA SEG 30July2013
Breastfeeding is the best source of nourishment for infants and young children and one of the most effective ways to ensure child health and survival.
People who were breastfed as babies are less likely to be overweight or obese later in life. They may also be less prone to diabetes and perform better in intelligence tests; but globally only an estimated 38% of infants are exclusively breastfed for six months.
“Nearly all mothers are physically able to breastfeed and will do so if they have accurate information and support,” said Dr Carmen Casanovas, breastfeeding expert with WHO’s Department of Nutrition for Health and Development. “But in many cases, women are discouraged from doing so, and are misled to believe that they are giving their children a better start in life by buying commercial substitutes.”
According to the WHO, only 37 of the 199 countries (19%) reporting to WHO on implementation of the Code have passed laws reflecting all of its recommendations.
The report shows that 69 countries (35%) fully prohibit advertising of breast-milk substitutes; 62 (31%) completely prohibit free samples or low-cost supplies for health services; 64 (32%) completely prohibit gifts of any kind from relevant manufacturers to health workers; 83 (42%) require a message about the superiority of breastfeeding on breast-milk substitute labels; and
only 45 countries (23%) report having a functioning implementation and monitoring system.
Concerned that breast-milk substitutes were being marketed to mothers too aggressively, the 27th World Health Assembly in 1974 urged member states to review sales promotion activities on baby foods and to introduce appropriate remedial measures, including advertisement codes and legislation where necessary.
This led, in 1981, to agreement on the International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes, and the adoption of several subsequent resolutions on the matter.
“Full implementation of the Code is vital for reducing or eliminating all forms of promotion of breast-milk substitutes, including direct and indirect promotion to pregnant women and mothers of infants and young children,” said Dr Casanovas.
In World Breastfeeding Week 2013, WHO and partners are calling for more support for breastfeeding mothers. Breastfeeding has to be learned and many women encounter difficulties at the beginning. Nipple pain and fear that there is not enough milk to sustain the baby are common.
Health facilities that support breastfeeding - by making trained breastfeeding counsellors available to new mothers - encourage higher rates of the practice.
To provide this support and improve care for mothers and newborns, there are "baby-friendly" facilities in more than 150 countries, thanks to the WHO-UNICEF Baby-Friendly Hospital initiative.
WHO said breast milk gives infants all the nutrients they need for healthy development. It is safe and contains antibodies that help protect infants from common childhood illnesses such as diarrhoea and pneumonia, the two primary causes of child mortality worldwide.
Infant formula does not contain the antibodies found in breast milk, additionally there are risks arising from the use of unsafe water and unsterilised equipment or the potential presence of bacteria or other contaminants in powdered formula.
Breastfeeding also benefits mothers. Exclusive breastfeeding is associated with a natural (though not fail-safe) method of birth control (98% protection in the first six months after birth). It reduces risks of breast and ovarian cancer later in life and helps women return to their pre-pregnancy weight faster.
-0- PANA SEG 30July2013
