Press Release
26 March 2006
Breastfeeding in the first hour of life could save almost one million
babies’ lives each year
New research funded by the Department for International Development (DFID)
has shown for the first time that starting to breastfeed immediately after birth
significantly increases the chances of survival of babies.
4 million babies in the developing world die each year in the first month of
life. If mothers start breastfeeding within one hour of birth, 22% of babies who
die in the first 28 days, the equivalent to almost one million newborn children
each year, could be saved. If breastfeeding starts on the first day then 16% of
lives could be saved. The likelihood of death increases significantly each day
the start of breastfeeding is further delayed.
The research is the first study to assess the effect on newborn survival
rates of when mothers start to breastfeed. It was carried out by the Kintampo
Health Research Centre in Ghana and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical
Medicine and was funded by DFID. The analysis was based on 10,947 breastfeeding
babies born between July 2003 and June 2004 in Ghana who survived to the second
day.
Babies that were fed only breastmilk were four times less likely to die than
those who were also fed other milk or solids, confirming the health benefits of
exclusive breastfeeding in the first month.
Commenting Hilary Benn, Secretary of State for International Development,
said:
“This groundbreaking research could help save one million children’s lives
every year. What’s so exciting about it is that the solution doesn’t need costly
medicines. We just need to get across the simple message to women that, unless
they have HIV, breastfeeding from the time they give birth is not only best – it
will increase the chances of their baby surviving. We need to support Ministries
of Health, UNICEF, WHO and other partners to educate midwives and community
healthworkers so they can spread this message far and wide. We also need to
tackle the underlying reasons why, in some cultures, breastfeeding in the first
few days is discouraged.”
Reasons why early breastfeeding saves lives include:
- Early human milk is rich in a variety of immune and non-immune components that are important for
early gut growth and resistance to infection.
- Lack of feeding in the first hours or days of life may disrupt metabolic functions and cause acid build-up
(acidosis) and low glucose (hypoglycaemia).
- Early feeding with non-human milk proteins (for example, animal milk) may severely disrupt normal gut function.
- Promotion of warmth and protection when breastfeeding may reduce the risk of
death from hypothermia.
- Mothers who suckle their babies shortly after birth have a greater chance of successfully establishing and sustaining breastfeeding
throughout infancy.
In countries including India and Bangladesh, many believe that colostrum, the
first milk that is produced after childbirth, is ‘pollution’ and should not be
used. In some traditional families the mother-in-law must give newborn sons the
first feed, often from a local water source. Colostrum is easy to digest and
high in nutrition and antibodies to keep the newborn baby healthy. When
colostrum is discarded it is often replaced by feeds made with unclean water,
from cereal, animal milk, herbal concoctions or other liquids which are lower in
nutrients, may expose the baby to disease or damage the baby’s digestion.
The research was carried out in Ghana where the prevalence of HIV is low at
around 4%. In countries where HIV infection is much higher breastfeeding cannot
be promoted so easily. The risk of HIV transmission from mother to child through
breastfeeding, which happens in about 15% of cases, should be taken into
account. WHO recommends that, where possible, HIV positive mothers give their
babies artificial milk. However, WHO recognises that exclusive breastfeeding,
rather than mixed feeding, remains the best option for many poor women with HIV
who don’t have access to clean water or cannot afford artificial milk. The
reality is that until women are able to know their HIV status before giving
birth and until they can afford to give artificial feeds if they have HIV,
breastfeeding is the only option.
Notes to editors:
Summary of the research results
1. Breastfeeding was initiated within the
first day of birth in 71% of infants.
2. 70% were exclusively (not mixed)
breastfed during the neonatal period (first 28 days)
3. The risk of neonatal
death was four times higher in children given milk-based fluids or solids in
addition to breast milk.
4. Increased delay in initiation of breastfeeding from
1 hour to day 7 led to increasing risk of neonatal death. Starting breastfeeding
after day 1 was associated with a 2.4 times greater risk of death.
5. The research results have been published in the American Journal Pediatrics
6. Current World Health Organisation (WHO) recommendations on breastfeeding in poor countries are as
follows:
- For HIV-negative women and women whose status is unknown it is
recommended to breastfeed exclusively for 6 months (with early initiation) and
to continue breastfeeding with adequate complementary feeding for 2 years of age
or beyond.
- The recommendation for HIV-positive mothers is: when replacement
feeding is acceptable, feasible, affordable, sustainable and safe, avoidance of
all breastfeeding by HIV-infected mothers is recommended. Otherwise, exclusive
breastfeeding is recommended during the first months of life and should then be
discontinued as soon as feasible.
- More information from the WHO
For further information, contact Diana Murray on 020 7023 0233, e-mail
d-murray@dfid.gov.uk
or call our Public Enquiries Point on 0845 300 4100.
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