Editorial | Breastfeeding deserves greater support

Breastfeeding, one of the most effective ways to improve the health of children, contributes to better nutrition, stronger immunity and healthier development during the earliest months of life. For Jamaica, where improving public health remains a national priority, breastfeeding should continue to receive sustained attention from government, employers, healthcare providers and families.

According to the Jamaica Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey 2022, 33 per cent of infants aged up to five months are exclusively breastfed. This represents an improvement from 24 per cent in 2011, but it also means that two-thirds of Jamaican babies are introduced to other foods or liquids before the recommended six months.

The World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF recommend that babies begin breastfeeding within the first hour after birth, be exclusively breastfed for the first six months, and continue breastfeeding with appropriate complementary foods until at least two years of age. These recommendations are supported by decades of scientific research showing that breast milk provides the nutrients and antibodies infants need while reducing the risk of diarrhoea, respiratory infections, and other common childhood illnesses.

The survey also found that around 65 per cent of Jamaican newborns begin breastfeeding within the first hour after birth. Early initiation is important because the first milk, known as colostrum, provides antibodies that help protect newborns during the first days of life.

The Ministry of Health and Wellness has maintained breastfeeding as an important part of maternal and child health services. Through the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative, public hospitals encourage early breastfeeding, skin-to-skin contact after delivery, and counselling for new mothers.

These initiatives establish a strong foundation, but improving breastfeeding rates will require support beyond hospitals and health centres.

PRACTICAL CHALLENGES

Many women face practical challenges after leaving hospital. From physical and mental exhaustion, returning to work early, limited facilities for expressing and storing breast milk, to inconsistent advice and social misconceptions, these make exclusive breastfeeding difficult during the first six months.

Research indicates children who are breastfed are less likely to experience common infectious diseases during early childhood, reducing visits to health facilities and lowering healthcare costs for families. Breastfeeding is also critical for healthy cognitive development and improved long-term health outcomes.

Mothers benefit as well. Studies have shown that breastfeeding lowers the risk of breast and ovarian cancers and supports recovery after childbirth by an estimated 4.3 per cent for every 12 months a new mother feeds her child.

Further, every illness prevented reduces healthcare expenditure and eases pressure on clinics and hospitals. Families also avoid the considerable expense of purchasing infant formula during the first months of life. Healthier children contribute to better educational outcomes and improved productivity over time.

Support for breastfeeding should be regarded as an investment in national development. There needs to be a multi-pronged approach across the board. Here, the government can consider the following:

– Extend paid maternity leave and enforce workplace breastfeeding policies.

– Expand Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative standards across all maternity facilities.

– Provide free lactation counselling through community health centres.

– Train more healthcare workers in breastfeeding support.

– Enforce restrictions on the marketing of breastmilk substitutes.

– Create more breastfeeding-friendly public spaces.

– Launch sustained public education campaigns involving fathers and families.

– Strengthen data collection to monitor breastfeeding rates and outcomes.

– Provide targeted support for teenage and low-income mothers through home visits and peer support programmes.

Employers can also create workplaces that provide appropriate lactation spaces, reasonable breaks and supportive policies to enable mothers to continue breastfeeding after returning to work.

Parenting groups, community organisations and healthcare providers can all contribute by offering practical support and evidence-based information.

STRONGEST OUTCOMES

Countries with the strongest breastfeeding outcomes combine supportive public policy, accessible healthcare, and cultural acceptance. Several countries are leading the charge:

Rwanda – One of the world’s highest rates of exclusive breastfeeding for infants under six months, exceeding 80 per cent. This has contributed to lower infant illness from diarrhoea and respiratory infections, improved child nutrition, and reduced healthcare costs.

Sri Lanka – Strong maternal and child health services, community health workers and high hospital support have resulted in exclusive breastfeeding rates of around 80 per cent or higher. The country has seen improvements in child survival and nutrition.

Norway – Comprehensive paid parental leave, workplace protections and universal lactation support have produced high breastfeeding initiation and continuation rates. Benefits include lower rates of childhood infections, reduced maternal breast and ovarian cancer risk, and lower healthcare expenditure.

Sweden – Generous parental leave and breastfeeding-friendly policies support sustained breastfeeding, contributing to healthier infants and better maternal health outcomes.

Cuba – Universal primary healthcare and community-based support have helped maintain high breastfeeding rates, reducing infant morbidity and improving early childhood development.

Peru – Government investment in maternal education, community health workers and breastfeeding promotion has significantly increased exclusive breastfeeding, helping reduce childhood malnutrition and stunting.

While there has been significant work being done on improving Jamaica’s health outcomes with coordinated action involving government, health professionals, schools and communities, which have influenced behaviour and improved public health, breastfeeding needs the same sustained commitment.