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India's Exclusive Breastfeeding Rate Declines Sharply
2 Aug
Summary
- Exclusive breastfeeding rate in India dropped to 55.8% in 2023-24.
- Global exclusive breastfeeding rates have increased to over 47%.
- Early breastfeeding initiation saw an increase to 50.1%.
Exclusive breastfeeding rates in India have seen a notable decline, dropping from 63.7% in the 2019-21 period to 55.8% in the 2023-24 National Family Health Survey (NFHS-6). This trend contrasts with global progress, where exclusive breastfeeding has improved to over 47%.
Factors contributing to this reduction in India include socio-cultural practices, family customs, individual preferences, and the use of pre-lacteal feeds and infant milk substitutes. However, other breastfeeding indicators show improvement, such as the early initiation of breastfeeding within one hour of birth, which rose to 50.1%.
The World Health Organization and UNICEF emphasize breastfeeding as a critical public health intervention, protecting against infections, enhancing immunity, and supporting cognitive development. They urge strengthened support systems, including community counselling and maternity protection, to prevent child and maternal deaths globally.
