A LOT has been said about the fact that 40pc of children under five years in Pakistan are stunted. The reasons usually attributed to this disturbing statistic include rampant poverty, food insecurity and a failing healthcare system. Unfortunately, the solutions often suggested to improve the health of children tend to ignore a crucial aspect of a child’s early development: breastfeeding by mothers. Not only would breastfeeding reduce stunting in children, it can also save thousands of newborns’ lives, according to the World Health Organisation. Breastfeeding figures vary, but as per the National Nutrition Survey 2018, less than half the infants born are given mother’s milk within the first hour of birth. The figures for exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months range from the highest in KP to the lowest in AJK and Balochistan. Indeed, breastfeeding protects a child against diarrhoea and pneumonia — two leading causes of infant mortality. It also reduces the risk for a number of other ailments including obesity, diabetes, asthma, respiratory illnesses and ear infections and boosts the child’s cognitive and emotional well-being. Indeed, breastfed children may have a higher level of intelligence and, as adults, earn more than their peers. Breastfeeding is also seen to protect mothers from ovarian and breast cancer as well as more common conditions like diabetes and blood pressure.

Unfortunately, the use of formula milk is widely accepted and even encouraged via advertisements. In this context, SAPM Health Dr Faisal Sultan’s remarks that prescribing formula milk without adequate reason is a ‘crime’, is understandable. The natural bonding between a breastfed infant and the mother needs to be protected. Hence the theme of this year’s World Breastfeeding Week (Aug 1-7): ‘Protect breastfeeding: a shared responsibility’. The federal health ministry together with the provincial health departments has issued breastfeeding guidelines to encourage the practice. This is a step in the right direction. However, the authorities should do more to discourage the rampant advertisement of formula milk and ask companies to issue the relevant disclaimers when they promote their products.

Published in Dawn, August 5th, 2021