Exclusive Breastfeeding is the Best..but what is it?

by Dr. Lois Englberger

Pohnpei and Kosrae breastfeeding promoters are preparing to provide the answer to this as part of this year's World Breastfeeding Week theme. The answer is simple, it is best to give breastmilk only, meaning no water, no other milk, and no other food, except breastmilk for the first six months of life. This is the advice by the World Health Organization (WHO), United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) and local health officers.

Then it is recommended that breastfeeding should continue with appropriate added foods up to two years and beyond. Breastfeeding is the safe, sound and sustainable way to feed an infant, and provides many advantages for both the child and mother: protection against infection and allergies, the right nutrients leading also to better growth including better cognitive development (intellect), bonding between mom and child, contraceptive qualities, economic benefits, time-saving, decreasing risk to the mother for anemia and breast and ovarian cancer.

Unfortunately many mothers in the Federated States of Micronesia do not fully understand the advice on breastfeeding. In a random survey carried out in Kosrae in 2001, over half of the 267 mothers said that the baby should be breastfed only for around one year or up to a year and a half. Very few said that a baby should be breastfed up to two years.

Also very few understood about exclusive breastfeeding. Almost half (48%) of the mothers said that the baby needs drinks other than breastmilk in the first months.

They did not understand that giving other fluids, even water, or soft foods before six months is not needed and can be harmful to the baby. Not only can these substances lead to increased risk of infection and diarrhea, but also giving other fluids and foods may cause a decrease in breastfeeding and a lowering of breastmilk supplies.

The global theme this year for World Breastfeeding Week (August 1-7) is titled "Exclusive Breastfeeding: the Gold Standard." Educational materials are provided free of charge by the World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action; see on the internet at http://www.waba.org or also http://www.unicef.org.

Activities in Pohnpei are being planned by Berno Hedson, the Pohnpei Breastfeeding Focal Point, at Pohnpei State Hospital for later in the month of August. Julie Timothy at the College of Micronesia-FSM Kosrae Campus is working with Matchuko Talley and other health officers at Kosrae State Hospital for activities in Kosrae.

Funding support for these activities are being provided by the Task Force Sight and Life, UNICEF and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).