If breastfeeding were practiced as recommended around the world, 820,000 lives of children under five could be saved each year. It would have a monumental economic impact too, saving the global economy $1 billion every day.
The good news is there are several evidence-based interventions which can improve rates of exclusive breastfeeding. They stem from the key lesson, as the World Health Organisation puts it, that “while breastfeeding is a natural act, it is also a learned behaviour.” That means mothers require active support, from information and coaching to time and space to breastfeed.
We produced this policy brief as part of a series that compiles all the need-to-know information on the early years.
This collection of eight policy briefs explains some of the greatest challenges facing young children around the world.
