Lancet issue commentary co-author Dr Chantell Witten at the University of the Western Cape said creating an enabling environment for mothers to optimally breastfeed their babies needs a whole-of-society approach, with stronger monitoring and enforcement of our regulations to control the marketing of formula milk for children.
They argued that breastfeeding outcomes improve when health systems actively empower women and enable experienced peers to support women during pregnancy, childbirth and onwards.One common reason women introduce formula is that they misinterpret unsettled baby behaviours, especially disrupted sleep, and persistent crying in the first few months of life, as signs that their breast milk is insufficient.
The series authors stressed that breastfeeding was a collective responsibility of society and called for more effective promotion, support and protection for breastfeeding, including a much better-trained healthcare workforce and an international legal treaty to end exploitative formula milk marketing and prohibit political lobbying.
They called for government and workplaces to recognise the value of breastfeeding and care work, through actions such as extending the duration of paid maternity leave to align with the six-month WHO recommended duration of exclusive breastfeeding.In times of uncertainty you need journalism you can trust. For 14 free days, you can have access to a world of in-depth analyses, investigative journalism, top opinions and a range of features. Journalism strengthens democracy.
Mother's have brains, why are we not holding mom and dad's responsible for their own child
They make more money promoting formula feeding ratber than breat milk feeding. It is not about the babies, it is about the money.
After Covid I’d expect large support of the baby formula companies.