GLOBAL INTERVENTIONS IN BREASTFEEDING

Global Interventions in Developing Countries regarding Breastfeeding

Global Interventions in Developing Countries regarding Breastfeeding

Introduction

Breastfeeding is an important practice for the health and well being of infants and young children who feeds on the milk of their mother. It helps in the growth, survival and development of the infant which are basic requirements of children.teh developing and under developed nations have some kind of lower health related facilities and awareness regarding the healthcare practises. The unawareness and lack of health care facilities among the people may lead to the poor health conditions of the public including the pregnant women and the infants. The unawareness of the females regarding the importance of breastfeeding or not maintaining the hygiene during the breast feeding of infants may cause several healthcare issues. In developing countries, the role of breast feeding is not only confined to survival, development and growth of children but it also helps in reducing the mortality rate of infants and the spread of diseases among the infants and children (Oyango, 2008).

The children and infants on breast feed are less susceptible to several diseases including infectious diseases such as diarrhoea. In a social setting where there is a high infant mortality rate, the infants who do not get breastfeed are more vulnerable to death than those who are on breast feed. According to a research the infants in developing countries where there is a high infant mortality rate, are twice as likely to be affected by the deadly diseases other than HIV AIDS and they may lead to death. The exclusion of HIV AIDS is presented due to the fact that the infants who are breast fed on a mother who is infected with HIV AIDS have a high mortality rate (UNO, 2011). This paper discusses the interventions of United Nations in developing countries regarding the preventive measures during breastfeeding of infants and children. It examines the factors that prevent the global intervention in the developing countries and their effect on the health and well being of children, family and environment.

Importance of Breast Feeding in Developing Countries

Breastfeeding is important not only in the developing or under developed countries but also in the developed countries. However, the extent of importance becomes high in the developing and under developed nations due to the poor medical and healthcare conditions in the developing countries. The survival of infants and children is dependent upon the practices of breast feeding in developing countries. The infants especially under the age of 3 months are considered to be fed on breast milk that should be exclusive breastfeeding along with no other drink or food. It is an ideal nutrition for the infants and children under the age of six months. It helps them in the optimal growth and development and provides adequate and sufficient nutrition to the infant in the developing countries. The breastfeeding can be prolonged for up to 24 months. The nutritional requirements of infants can be only addressed through the breast milk of the mother ...