World Breastfeeding Week, observed annually in the first week of August, serves as a crucial advocacy platform to underscore the profound importance of breastfeeding for infant health, development, and survival. This year’s theme, “Prioritise Breastfeeding: Create Sustainable Support Systems,” emphasizes the critical need for establishing comprehensive and enduring support structures that empower mothers to breastfeed successfully. These systems encompass legal frameworks, healthcare practices, workplace policies, and community engagement, all working in concert to ensure mothers receive the necessary support throughout their breastfeeding journey. The ultimate goal is to create an environment where mothers are not burdened with navigating the challenges of breastfeeding alone. The World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF recommend early initiation of breastfeeding within the first hour of birth, followed by exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life, meaning no other foods or liquids are given. After six months, infants should begin consuming safe, nutritious, and varied complementary foods while continuing to breastfeed for up to two years or beyond.
Ghana, while having made strides in promoting breastfeeding, still faces significant hurdles in achieving optimal breastfeeding practices. Despite efforts, the rate of exclusive breastfeeding for infants under six months has plateaued at 52.6% over the past two decades. Early initiation of breastfeeding remains a challenge, with 41.8% of newborns experiencing delays. This delay is particularly pronounced in regions like Greater Accra, Ahafo, and Eastern, where over half of infants do not begin breastfeeding within the first hour. Furthermore, the median duration of exclusive breastfeeding nationally stands at 2.9 months, significantly shorter than the recommended six months, with considerable regional variation ranging from a mere one month in Western North to 4.9 months in the Savannah Region. These statistics highlight the need for targeted interventions to improve breastfeeding practices across the country.
A significant achievement in Ghana’s efforts to promote breastfeeding is the enactment of Legislative Instrument (L.I.) 1667, which regulates the marketing of breastmilk substitutes. This legislation prohibits the promotion, advertising, and distribution of formula, supplements, bottles, teats, and pacifiers within healthcare facilities. It also bans the provision of free samples to healthcare workers, reinforcing the importance of breastfeeding as the optimal feeding method. The law mandates exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months and encourages continued breastfeeding alongside complementary foods up to two years or beyond. To bolster enforcement, the Food and Drug Authority (FDA) has implemented a QR code system that enables citizens to report violations of the law, fostering accountability and community participation in upholding these vital regulations.
UNICEF Ghana actively supports the Government of Ghana in ensuring mothers receive the necessary support at every stage of their breastfeeding journey, regardless of their location – whether at work, home, or within their community. This support includes capacity building to provide skilled counseling from trained and empathetic healthcare professionals. It also involves advocating for workplace policies that protect a mother’s right to breastfeed and fostering supportive community networks. The integration of these elements across all levels of healthcare creates a comprehensive safety net, ensuring that no mother faces the challenges of breastfeeding in isolation. This holistic approach aims to empower mothers and create a supportive environment for breastfeeding.
The benefits of breastfeeding extend far beyond the immediate health of the child. Mothers who breastfeed experience a reduced risk of developing breast and ovarian cancers, highlighting the long-term health advantages for women. From an economic perspective, investing in breastfeeding yields a substantial return, with an estimated USD 35 return for every USD 1 invested. This underscores the economic wisdom of promoting and supporting breastfeeding practices. Breastfeeding forms the bedrock of a healthy and thriving child, offering protection against illness, supporting optimal development, and contributing to long-term economic gains. To guarantee every child the best possible start in life, prioritizing sustainable support systems for breastfeeding is essential.
Achieving universal access to optimal breastfeeding practices requires a concerted effort from all stakeholders. Governments, communities, workplaces, and families must collaborate to enforce protective legislation, invest in supportive initiatives, and normalize breastfeeding as a shared societal responsibility. UNICEF calls upon all relevant actors to secure adequate funding for breastfeeding programs, protect breastfeeding from commercial influences, and fully implement the International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes within healthcare facilities. Strengthening breastfeeding support within healthcare facilities and bolstering community structures that provide ongoing support are also crucial steps. This collective action is vital to ensuring that breastfeeding becomes the norm and that mothers receive the support they need to breastfeed successfully.
