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Breastfeeding key to saving children’s lives

During World Breastfeeding Week, celebrated from 1 to 7 August in more than 170 countries, the World Health Organization reiterates its call on health facilities and health workers to implement ten steps to help mothers breastfeed successfully and improve their babies' health and chances of survival.

Breast milk is the ideal food for newborns and infants. It is safe, gives babies the nutrients they need for healthy development and contains antibodies that help protect infants from common childhood illnesses. While exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life is on the rise in many countries, further improvement of breastfeeding rates is critical to improve the nutrition and the health of infants and children. For a variety of reasons, including the lack of breastfeeding counselling, still too many mothers stop exclusive breastfeeding within a few weeks after delivery.

> To view the WHO website, please click here

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Last Updated: 07/30/2010 | Source: WHO - Press Release - 30 July 2010

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